New interactive story introduced at Jennings center
BRADY TWP — Subfreezing temperatures kept the Jennings Environmental Education Center relatively quiet for the opening day of a new storybook walk on Saturday, March 8.
The new trail story is dubbed “Habitat Sweet Habitat: Zappo the Jennings Jumping Mouse Looks for a House.”
The story helps make for an interactive, self-guided activity for children that begins on Wood Whisper Trail before winding down and around Old Elm Trail and finishing out in front of Jennings’ visitor center.
“It’s a way for us to get families and young children out and in the park and kind of building their confidence so that they feel comfortable coming out and exploring the park on their own,” said Brandi Miller-Parrish, an environmental education specialist at the park.
Several staff members have written similar stories about a snake, a worm and even one that tells the tale of a water droplet that makes its way through a maple tree to become maple syrup.
While she noted that the storybook trails are “quite popular,” the activities are largely weather-dependent, and Saturday’s mix of frigid air and blustering winds was a recipe for low attendance.
However, there will be ample opportunities to experience the free event throughout March. The activity does not require any registration and is available daily during the state park’s hours, which are from sunrise to sunset.
The storybook trail will be on display until Sunday, March 23.
“I think it’s an excellent opportunity because it’s not a long time commitment,” Miller-Parrish said. “It does get you outside and has little activities to keep families interested and occupied. It also gives you the opportunity to be outside to see things beyond the storybook trail.”
