The Ohio Department of Transportation recently noted that three northwest Ohio rest areas now feature new “Storybook Trails,” which are designed to inspire children to read while being active.
[Above photo by Ohio DOT]
The agency said children and their families can read a “Dolly Parton Imagination Library” book along a trail when they visit the Welcome Center in Wood County on I-75 southbound, along with rest areas in Wyandot County on U.S. 30 eastbound and westbound.
The Wood County Welcome Center includes a new paved dog walking path, additional picnic areas, and the featured book “Milo’s Hat Trick” by author Jon Agee. The Wyandot County rest areas feature the stories of “Violet the Pilot” by author Steve Breen and “Dandelion Magic” by author Darren Farrell.
“Our hope is that kids will come to the parks, enjoy the Storybook Trails, and take a book with them,” said Pat McColley, deputy director for Ohio DOT District 2, in a statement.
Rest areas in northwest Ohio and across the state are also receiving some other enhancements, the agency said, including perennial plants, Ohio buckeye trees, music from Ohio artists, and lots of tourist information about local attractions – all part of a four-year rest area upgrade plan initiated in May 2023.
Ohio DOT noted that the Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library of Ohio recently provided books to more than 409,000 Ohio children from birth to age five and the Ohio DOT said its “Storybook Trails” at state rest areas provide easy instructions on how families statewide can sign up to receive books from that library at no cost.
To further promote literacy, children’s books are now available for free at the Wood County I-75 southbound rest area and Welcome Center south of Bowling Green, and at both the eastbound and westbound U.S. 30 parks east of Upper Sandusky, the agency added – books that were donated by Ohio DOT employees during a recent book drive.
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