Lakeside Park StoryWalk

A joint effort by the Fond du Lac Public Library, the City of Fond du Lac Parks Dept. and Kiwanis Club of Fabulous Fond du Lac has resulted in Fond du Lac’s first permanent StoryWalk® installation in Lakeside Park. The installation can be found on the east end of the park near the intersection of Harbor View and Winnebago drives.

StoryWalks encourage families to enjoy reading and the outdoors by posting a children’s book – a page at a time – at intervals in a park, hiking trail or other outdoor site.

The Lakeside Park project was instigated by the library’s Children’s and Teen Services Coordinator Sarah Newton, with a big assist from the Parks Dept.’s Matt Reinke, who designed and constructed the wooden story posts, and John Redmond, Parks Dept. superintendent. But the project was just a good idea until the Morning Kiwanis jumped on board with a $2,000 donation, enough for materials for two stories along the Lakeside Park walking path.

The stories – “A Frog in a Bog,” by Karma Wilson, and “It Looked Like Spilt Milk,” by Charles Shaw – will be replaced with new stories in a few months. The stories will be changed on a regular basis, year-round.

“We’re very grateful to John, Matt and the Kiwanis for making this project happen,” said Newton. “And we hope families take advantage of this neat opportunity to spend time in this beautiful park with fun stories that all ages can enjoy.”

The Lakeside Park StoryWalk is just the start. Newton, Redmond and Reinke hope to install another in Hamilton Park by next May.

In the photo above: Stopping at Page One of the Lakeside Park StoryWalk® are, from left, Gary Miller and Jackie King from Kiwanis Club of Fabulous Fond du Lac; Sarah Newton from the Fond du Lac Public Library; and Superintendent John Redmond and Matt Reinke from the city Parks Dept. Walkers at the park can enjoy two stories, which will be changed on a regular basis.