Source: WEAU.com
By Amanda Tyler
April 12, 2017
CHIPPEWA FALLS, Wis. (WEAU)-- Beyond the swing set and the jungle gym at Irvine Park you'll find colorful signs are meant to catch the attention of young kids and help inspire learning through nature.
The hopscotch squares and ABC's painted on the side walk are all part of the United Way's "Born Learning Trail".
“The trail consists of 10 interactive signs 4 have interactive activities on the sidewalk that parents and kids can do together. For example, one of the signs will have a circle with it and it asks the parents to stand in the circle or have the child stand in the circle and tell a story about when they were growing up,” United Way of the Greater Chippewa Valley volunteer coordinator Kathy Cooper explained.
The 10 stations along the trail are meant to boost pre-literacy, gross motor, problem-solving skills, and critical thinking skills for young children
The United Way installed the first born learning trail in our area in Irvine Park last fall, now they are looking to bring the concept to thirteen other area parks.
“We are hearing people ask if we can bring this to their community, so this isn’t the end of everything, this is just the beginning,” Successful Children’s Network Director Kari Stroede said.
In the past few months, the United Way has had discussions with local communities to add trails to their parks. Right now six trails have been approved and will be installed in soon. In order for the trails to be installed, the United Way needs help, that includes volunteers and sponsors for the trail.
“We will be there to support in whatever way possible. We will help support financing it, we will help support with maintenance if needed but it really belongs to the community. It’s just something that we are bringing to these communities to help local families,” Stroede said.
The United Way says its working to secure sponsors for the Born Learning Trails, which cost $2,500 each. If no sponsors come forward for a community, the United Way has funding set aside to make sure the trails are installed.
Born Learning Trails are already approved for Bloomer, Cadott, Cornell, Stanley, Altoona and Augusta.
The United Way says it hopes to have all 14 trails installed by the end of the year.