OHIO — The Ohio Department of Natural Resources in partnership with the Governor's Imagination Library added another storybook trail to Barkcamp State Park in Belmont this week. 

So far, there are 12 half-mile Storybook Trails located in Ohio's state parks. Each one has 16 child-height panels, featuring pages of a children’s book and an activity to accompany the text on the page. 

The Storybook Trail program launched in 2019 as a way to increase literacy and interest within children. 

"Storybook Trails promote both physical and mental development with Ohio’s most scenic areas as the backdrop,” said ODNR Director Mary Mertz. “There’s no better place to explore, learn, and grow together than the great outdoors, and we’re excited to provide kids and their families with more opportunities for adventure.”

At the Barkcamp State Park storybook trail, the story featured is “When the Storm Comes” By Linda Ashman, which tells the tale of how animals prepare and ride through a storm, and then what they do when the skies clear. 

“I encourage Ohio families to explore the new Storybook Trail at Barkcamp State Park,” said Ohio First Lady Fran DeWine. “Reading is one of the single greatest things we can do for and with our children and all of the young people in our lives. Reading on a Storybook Trail in a beautiful state park setting is even better!”

ODNR said there are 321,565 children enrolled in the Ohio Governor’s Imagination Library. The program provides one free book every month to children enrolled from birth to 5-years-old.