The Poconos is known for its many gorgeous trails, but none are quite like this one.
Cresco, PA | Barret Township Community Park at Ice Lake has a new adventure awaiting anyone who decides to hike the scenic trail. According to Barrett Paradise Friendly Library, the new “Tale on the Trail” program aims to get people outside and give them knowledge.
“During the pandemic, we had to shut down, and a lot of our programming was either virtual or outside, so this was something that was come up by, I think a librarian up in Vermont originally did this. We kind of just jumped on board and said, ‘Hey, we have to be outside. May as well be outside reading and having fun together,’” said Chelsea Corso, a children’s librarian at Barrett Paradise Friendly Library.
Corso advocated for the outdoor reading adventure, with it featuring local author Lindsey Barret George, according to Barret Paradise Friendly Library. The featured book currently is “Around the Pond: Who’s Been Here” by local author Lindsey Barrett George. The book is about a 1/12th or a 1/10th mile from the beginning to the end of the trail and back.
“It’s about a 12th a 10th of a mile there to the end of the trail and back. It’s rocky, but it’s definitely OK for a stroller. Young children might need a little help walking, but it’s pretty flat,” said Corso.
During the COVID-19 pandemic, librarians tested the idea, and it was successful, so successful that they decided to make it a mainstay in the park.
“It can teach the kids a lot of things, but to appreciate what’s going on right around them and to kind of life at the moment and enjoy the trial while they’re on the trail, that’s our main goal,” said Corso.
“Just have everybody slow down, take the time to read a book, and walk together.
According to WNEP, a family on vacation from Staten Island took a walk around the park and was impressed with the educational aspects of the “Tale on the Trail” experience for kids.
“They’ll know what is in the wildlife they’re walking in right at that moment. Like, they’ll know, let’s just say tadpoles are in the pond that they’re looking at right there, and it’ll be like educational,” said Harrison Franzen.
“They might like learn about the environment, and it can help them with maybe becoming a scientist of something,” said Emerson Franzen.
With the “Tale on the Trail” being successful, the library hopes to update and feature new books on the trail at Ice Lake park.