'Story Trails' Offer New Ways To Enjoy Union County Parks

UNION COUNTY, NJ — Union County introduced a new recreation initiative to encourage families to read together while also enjoying time outdoors.

"Story Trails" are new pathways launching at various parks throughout the region and include storyboard panels that display pages from children's books in English and Spanish. Each route has 16 different stations meant to keep families active.

The boards are adjustable and will be changed multiple times each year, the County said, to create new ways to enjoy the parks.

The first Story Trail was unveiled on Nov. 12 at Nomahegan Park in Cranford. The next three to be installed will be at Warinanco Park in Roselle, Mattano Park in Elizabeth, and The Loop in Watchung Reservation.

The stories on display at each location are "Lupita and the Squash" (Nomahegan Park, by the playground), "Mateo and the Red Cat" (Warinanco Park, starting at the fishing dock), "A Hug from Otto" (Mattano Park, by the playground), and "Habitat" (The Loop, by the playground).

Story Trails are provided through the Union County Open Space, Recreation & Historic Preservation Trust Fund.

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