Ever been lost in a good book? The Martinborough StoryWalk® might just be the place for you.

StoryWalk® is a popular concept overseas which aims to combine physical exercise, nature and a love of reading. Using a series of posts, it tells a story along an established walkway page by page, weaving a narrative for the follower.

One of these walks has been placed in Considine Park. It has been funded by The Friends of Martinborough Library, and developed in consultation with the Wairarapa Library Service.

WLS librarian Sylvia Arnold said that the walk embedded a range of early literacy skills.

“For example, as you move from post to post to read the next page of the story, a sense of anticipation builds. It is a fun activity that increases the joy of reading,’’

An official celebration is planned for 30 November, with sneak previews for the Wairarapa Walking Festival. Approved by Council and the Considine Park committee, the walk is expected to get plenty of use from Martinborough School and a number of day care centres nearby.

“We also know this will be a perfect addition to a family-friendly park alongside the pump track project and community pool,” Sylvia said.

“It’s a great way of placing storytelling in an area where people are spending recreation time, and encouraging them to visit one of the WLS libraries.”

The StoryWalk® is very much a local initiative with help from the Martinborough Menz Shed. The first story is Mr Phelps’ Fish Truck, written by local author Phillip Percy and illustrated by Dale Percy.

The StoryWalk® project was created by Anne Ferguson of Montpelier, VT and developed in collaboration with Kellogg-Hubbard Library. StoryWalk® is a registered service mark owned by Ms. Ferguson.