Read while you hike on the new kid trail at Buzzard's Roost

CHILLICOTHE — This summer there is a new trail for young adventurers to walk as they enjoy the great outdoors at Buzzard's Roost. The Kid's Nature Zone Story Walk helps encourage imaginative play and reading.

The half-mile story walk trail features 24 stops full of secret nooks, creek access, a fairy house and more for kids to play on while following Ross County Park District mascot Ash through the woods. Families can read a new page of the story at each stop and learn more about the nature around them.

Myranda Vance, Executive Director of the Ross County Park District, said the grand opening of this trail is only the beginning as the district plans on adding more interactive elements to the trail as well as changing out the book seasonally.

She is excited to help encourage literacy, time outdoors and family bonding with this interactive trail. The goal is to ignite a love for reading and for the great outdoors within children.

Courtney Lewis, communications and marketing manager at the Chillicothe and Ross County Public Library, is excited to be able to help the district with this project through grant money and support. She said the librarians are sure to pick exciting books for children to read that are age-appropriate but still educational.

The current story told throughout the hike is "The Hike” by, Alison Farrell. The book helps encourage learning about different things and nature and appreciating what is around you.

To celebrate the grand opening of the trail the park district held a ribbon cutting and first walk with members of the community. This event encouraged families to walk the trail and see all it had to offer. President and CEO of the Chillicothe-Ross Chamber of Commerce Mike Throne said this trail is great for the area as it helps showcase how collaboration between local groups can help improve the community for everyone.

Hikers can visit this trail and more at Buzzard's Roost located at 514 Red Bird Lane in Chillicothe.

This article originally appeared on Chillicothe Gazette: Children's Trail at Buzzards Roost promotes literacy