The Center for Disease Control lists Kentucky as one of the least active states in the US.  This inactivity contributes to health problems including diabetes, heart disease, arthritis, etc.  Carter County ranks as one of the highest counties in the state for diabetes related deaths. When community members were surveyed, lack of environments to be active is a strong contributor to inactivity.  In addition to inactivity community leaders and educators also identified a need to encourage kindergarten readiness.  Nearly half of Carter County students that are screened are not ready for Kindergarten.

The Carter County Agent for Family and Consumer Sciences (FCS) partnered with the City of Grayson, Carter County Recreation Alliance, and the Carter County Drug Free Coalition to develop a walking track in Grayson, Kentucky.  The track was built in 2014 as the East River Road Park was developed.  Since completion, FCS has conducted six physical activity programs reaching over 1250 people.  More recently, FCS has collaborated with the Carter County School District and the Carter County Drug Free Coalition to develop a StoryWalk as part of the walking track with 15 reading stations along the walking trail in East River Road Park.  FCS and partners have encouraged families with children to utilize the reading stations while being physically active.  FCS Extension hosted the monthly Kindergarten Readiness program at the Walking Track.  Families with young children interrelate the value of physical activity, quality family engagement and literacy after attending Kindergarten Readiness programs, and receiving information and newsletters. 

Nineteen preschoolers and seventeen adults participated in the StoryWalk at the Kindergarten Readiness program and were taught literacy with their parent or family members.  Eighty-five percent of the families, it was the first time they used the walking track at the park.  After the StoryWalk, Extension staff led reinforcement activities that related to the story. The youth were able to recall the characters and describe the story. The long-term goal of the walking trail and StoryWalk is to engage families with young children to spend quality family time while being physically active in a safe environment and improve the literacy of Carter County youth and adults that will enable residents to improve education and employment opportunities.