Reading, Nature, and Exercise; It’s an ideal combination. When it includes picture books, activities, and a playground, your child’s interest will sky-rocket! StoryWalks are free, self-guided hikes often on paved trails within parks that encourage reading while you walk. Picture books are displayed in mounted frames with one or two pages per frame. Each frame also features a quick question or activity to build literacy skills while you walk to the next page.
The StoryWalk® concept was created by Anne Ferguson of Vermont and developed in collaboration with the Kellogg Hubbard Library. StoryWalk® is a registered service mark and now appears in each of the 50 states. Here is a list of some our favorite StoryWalks around town.
StoryWalk® Locations in Indianapolis
Ruckle Street Park StoryWalk
3025 Ruckle Street, Indianapolis
The Indianapolis Public Library rotates stories monthly on this paved path. Stories are geared towards families with children ages eight and younger.
StoryWalk® Locations South of Indy
Johnson County Public Library StoryWalks
The following StoryWalks are maintained by the Johnson County Public Library. The Urban Forest is on a mulched path while all the others are on paved paths. Stories are changed seasonally and can be viewed on their website.
Windisch Park StoryWalk®
248 N. West Street, Bargersville
Country Gate Park StoryWalk®
600 Country Gate Boulevard, New Whiteland
Kelsey Anne Devine StoryWalk®
424 S. Tower Drive, Trafalgar
Urban Forest StoryWalk®
308 W. South Street, Franklin
Independence Park StoryWalk®
2100 S. Morgantown Road, Greenwood
Butler Park StoryWalk®
812 W. Ninth Street, Bloomington
The Monroe County Public Library designs this interactive adventure along a paved trail. Visit their website to find the current displayed story.
StoryWalk® Locations North of Indy
Carmel Clay Public Library StoryWalks
The titles for the following StoryWalks are changed every few months by the Carmel Clay Public Library. There is often a corresponding craft at the West Branch. The Flowing Well Park StoryWalk® will open this April.
Harrison Park StoryWalk®
1803 Broughton Street, Carmel
Flowing Well Park StoryWalk®
5100 E 116th Street, Carmel
Hamilton East Public Library StoryWalk®
The Hamilton East Public Library rotates the parks at which one of its StoryWalks takes place. Ritchey Woods, Holland Park, and Heritage Park have hosted past stories. The current StoryWalk® is at Cyntheanne Park. To learn where the most current Storywalk® is, visit the Fishers Parks website. Strawtown Koteewi Park also has a StoryWalk® that changes monthly.
Elm Street Green Park StoryWalk®
165 N Elm Street, Zionsville
This StoryWalk® is open from the end of March through the end of October. There is a corresponding program when the new Storywalk® opens each year. This year it will take place on March 25. During the wintertime, there is a Storywalk® displayed in the windows of the Hussey-Mayfield Public Library for you to enjoy.
StoryWalk® Locations West of Indy
Arbuckle Acres Park StoryWalk®
200 N Green Street, Brownsburg
The Brownsburg Public Library changes the story on this paved trail seasonally.
Hummel Park StoryWalk®
1500 S Center Street, Plainfield
A new title is featured each month by the Plainfield-Guilford Township Public Library at the Hummel Park StoryWalk® along a paved path beginning at the playground. Stories often connect with seasonal or local themes.
