Storybook Trail Opens in Heritage Garden at Ohio Governor’s Residence

(BEXLEY, Ohio)—Ohio First Lady Fran DeWine opened a new Storybook Trail in the Heritage Garden at the Ohio Governor’s Residence. The Storybook Trail features pages of the children’s book The Tale of Peter Rabbit by Beatrix Potter. The Storybook Trail is comprised of child’s height panels featuring the pages of the book, along with an accompanying activity. 

First Lady DeWine picked The Tale of Peter Rabbit because the story is included in the Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library of Ohio collection. Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library of Ohio mails one age-appropriate book to children enrolled each month until his or her 5th birthday. When First Lady DeWine became first lady in 2019, she played an integral role in expanding access to the program for kids in Ohio. With her leadership, Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library of Ohio was established and soon became available to all kids between birth and age 5 in Ohio at no cost to families. 

“Having a Storybook Trail at the Residence allows families to explore the Heritage Garden and all it has to offer while reading The Tale of Peter Rabbit,” said First Lady Fran DeWine. “When I walk the Storybook Trail, I point out that the Heritage Garden is home to the fifth oldest oak tree in Ohio, similar to Peter Rabbit’s tree!”

The Ohio Department of Natural Resources launched the Storybook Trail program in 2019 and partnered with Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library of Ohio in 2020. Each trail creates a unique opportunity to improve childhood literacy, develop an appreciation for nature and encourage healthy living. There are currently 21 half-mile Storybook Trails located at state parks throughout Ohio, each featuring pages of a children’s book on child-height panels.