In 2018, Governor’s Early Literacy Foundation (GELF) launched the Storybook Trail program by partnering with Tennessee State Parks Conservancy, city parks and outdoor areas to provide a children’s storybook, presented on child-height panels, along a short trail to promote adult-child interaction around books and nature. The trails feature reading tips on each page panel to bring the book to life with the surrounding nature. In addition to promoting literacy and caregiver engagement, the Storybook Trail program encourages families to connect with nature and engage in a healthy, outdoor activity.
GBBF’s Storybook Trail program now includes 18 trails in Tennessee, including locations at 15 state parks, two city parks and one botanical garden and estate.
State Parks
- Edgar Evins State Park
- Harpeth River State Park
- Long Hunter State Park
- Cumberland Mountain State Park
- Henry Horton State Park
- Montgomery Bell State Park
- Pickett CCC Memorial State Park
- Bledsoe Creek State Park
- Frozen Head State Park
- Cove Lake State Park
- Norris Dam State Park
- South Cumberland State Park
- Cordell Hull Birthplace State Park
- Hiwassee Ocoee State Park
- David Crockett Birthplace State Park
City Parks & Outdoor Areas
- Athens Regional Park
- Centerville RiverPark
- Cheekwood Estate & Gardens
Keep reading for more about GBBF’s Storybook Trails:
EDGAR EVINS STATE PARK
The Storybook Trail at Edgar Evins State Park opened in June 2018 in Silver Point, TN. The trail features the Imagination Library book Where Butterflies Grow by Joanne Ryder. Click here for pictures from the Storybook Trail opening.
LONG HUNTER STATE PARK
The Storybook Trail at Long Hunter State Park opened in June 2018 in Hermitage, TN. The trail features the children’s book In The Trees, Honey Bees. Click here for pictures from the Storybook Trail opening.
CUMBERLAND MOUNTAIN STATE PARK
The Storybook Trail at Cumberland Mountain State Park opened in September 2018 on the Byrd Lake Trail in Crossville, TN. The trail features the Imagination Library book Night Night Forest Friends by Annie Bach. Click here for pictures from the storybook trail opening.
HENRY HORTON STATE PARK
The Storybook Trail at Henry Horton State Park opened in October 2018 on the Greenway Trail in Chapel Hill, TN. The trail features the Imagination Library book Little Owl Night by Divya Srinivasan. Click here for pictures from the storybook trail opening.
MONTGOMERY BELL STATE PARK
The Storybook Trail at Montgomery Bell State Park opened in October 2018 on the Jim Bailey Nature Trail in Burns, TN. The trail features the Imagination Library book One Leaf, Two Leaves, Count with Me by John Micklos, Jr. and Clive McFarland.
PICKETT CCC MEMORIAL STATE PARK
The Story Book Trail at Pickett CCC Memorial State Park opened in November 2018 in Jamestown, TN. The trail features the Imagination Library Book Old Bear and His Cub by Oliver Dunrea. Click here for pictures from the storybook trail opening.
