COLUMBUS, Ohio – Pickaway County is set to join a growing number of Ohio communities creating outdoor reading experiences for families, thanks to a new grant from the Ohio Department of Natural Resources (ODNR). The ODNR has awarded $9,148 to the Pickaway County Park District as part of a larger initiative to fund six new Storybook Trails across the state, totaling more than $51,000 in grant funding.
Storybook Trails are an innovative way to combine early literacy, outdoor recreation, and community engagement. The grant will help create a trail featuring pages from a children’s book, displayed on large signs along an outdoor path. These interactive trails encourage families to read together while exploring Ohio’s natural beauty.
Since the Storybook Trails program launched in 2019, ODNR has made significant investments to bring the joy of storytelling and outdoor exploration to communities across the state. More than $150,000 has been awarded to 20 communities since 2021, supporting the construction of new trails and enhancements to existing ones.
Ohio First Lady Fran DeWine expressed her excitement over the program’s impact on families across the state: “I love taking our grandkids to read on Storybook Trails every chance I get,” DeWine said. “It’s exciting that we are investing in our communities, so that more Ohio families can enjoy this unique experience. Kids can learn and be active at the same time.”
Pickaway County’s Storybook Trail will add to the growing list of these beloved outdoor spaces, which currently include 21 Storybook Trails located within Ohio’s state parks. The grant funding will be used to create interpretive signage, as well as construction and maintenance of the trail and trailhead.
ODNR Director Mary Mertz highlighted the success of the Storybook Trails across the state: “I love coming to our state parks and seeing families walking through a Storybook Trail and the excitement they have to get to the next page in the story. The Storybook Trails in our state parks are beloved trails and have been a success across Ohio.”
The Pickaway County Park District is one of six organizations to receive grants in this round of funding, with other recipients including:
- City of Centerville, Montgomery County – $9,930
- Ludowici Community Foundation, Perry County – $10,000
- Madison County Chamber of Commerce – $7,580
- Morrow County Park District – $9,800
- Muskingum Watershed Conservancy District, Tuscarawas/Carroll Counties – $4,902
The Storybook Trail project is made possible through the Recreational Trails Program (RTP), a federal funding initiative administered by the ODNR in cooperation with the Federal Highway Administration. The RTP offers up to 80% reimbursement for trail construction costs, helping local organizations bring these projects to life.
ODNR has also partnered with Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library of Ohio to provide books for several Storybook Trails and to raise awareness of the free books available for children in the program. The Imagination Library sends one free book each month to children from birth to age five in Ohio, ensuring that every child has access to high-quality reading materials.
The Pickaway County Storybook Trail will be another opportunity for families to engage with nature while fostering a love for reading. To find a Storybook Trail near you or learn more about the program, visit ODNR’s Storybook Trails webpage.
ODNR’s Commitment to Ohio’s Parks and Recreation
In 2024, ODNR is celebrating 75 years of protecting Ohio’s natural resources and providing outstanding recreational opportunities to residents and visitors alike. As part of its mission, ODNR ensures the wise use and protection of the state’s natural resources for the benefit of all.
For more information, visit the ODNR website at ohiodnr.gov.
