During COVID-19 pandemic, a county-wide community task force was developed by a local organization. Stakeholders from various community partners convened weekly to discuss local concerns that had developed as a result of the pandemic. During some of these meetings, concerns were raised that the COVID restrictions were adversely affecting individuals and families, both physically and mentally. In in effort to address these concerns, the Clark County FCS agent partnered with the Clark County Public Library to develop a book walk in a local park. The thought behind the book walk would be to encourage physical activity as well as family connections that could increase mental and physical well being during the stressful pandemic times.

The Book Walk was installed with the permission from Winchester-Clark County Parks and Recreation Department in College Park, which is a locally accessible, easily walkable park. It is the most visited WCCPR park in Clark County, as it is equipped with basketball and tennis courts as well as a playground and picnic shelter. A kick-off event was planned for March 21^st, which coincided with World Storytelling Day. A World Storytelling Day event happened at College Park where the permanent structure was installed, as well as two other parks where pop-up book walks were set up. Over 400 individuals came to the event, walked the trail, and learned about the benefits of the book walk. A QR code was installed with the story where participants could have the story read out loud and take a survey about their experience. 

Of the respondents, 100% indicated they enjoyed the book walk and 72% brought their young children to participate in the walk with them. One participant indicated they enjoyed the book walk very much and they were excited about something fun to do with their family in town. Another participant enjoyed the physical aspect of walking/running between the signs to read the story and thought it was a great way to have families incorporate physical activity into their family time. As schools return to in-person events, this permanent book walk will have potential for other programming collaborations.