Story walk added at Tuscora Park Place Youth Center

With colder weather moving in, a fitting new addition has been installed inside the Tuscora Park Place Youth Center. A story walk now adorns the wall beneath the east facing windows of the center. With most story walks installed outdoors, this one can be enjoyed year-round and it’s at a level small children can enjoy.

The idea was a collaboration between area author Farrah Raines and youth center director, Jordyn Starkey.

Raines latest book, “Farmer Farrah’s Rainbow of Foods,” is the first book to be featured on the story walk. The book provides an opportunity to introduce children to a variety of foods.

“There’re a lot of families looking for stuff to do with the kiddos. This is a perfect thing, and you don’t have to worry about being outside in any crazy weather,” Raines said.

For those who would rather have the book read to them, a QR code can be scanned that will link the reader to Raines’ YouTube page and they can hear the book.

“I thought it would be fun to offer that if they want to hear me reading the book,” Raines said.

Raines enjoys helping out at the youth center, reading to children and providing them with other activities. Recently, she held a Halloween story time and read the book “Halloween Hustle” by Charlotte Gunnufson and illustrated by Kevan J. Atteberry. She also provided a skeleton craft and to get the children moving, Raines lead them in doing a Halloween Hustle dance.

Raines has written four story books for children and has two coloring books available. She also travels to host story times.

“This was our biggest summer of touring, and it was just so much fun,” Raines said. “I’d have fun regardless, but it was even more special, getting to spend time with my good friends, Ruby Sue and Carie Kline.

Ruby Sue is featured in the “Farmer Farrah’s Rainbow of Foods” book, and she loves to help Raines at her programs.

There will be more books in Raines’ future as she already has another idea in mind.

“I am super excited. I feel like every book I write, I grow as an author and illustrator,” Raines said.

She is happy to share with children and the book has garnered much positive feedback that has led to more opportunities to share her books. Raines will also be at the Reading Festival at New Towne Mall Nov. 2.

The Tuscora Park Place Youth Center, formerly a teen center, was transitioned to a youth center in 2021 when it reopened after COVID 19. The center offers a variety of activities like free crafts, story times, Montessori-style learning materials, and even a mini golf tournament in the summer. Activities are held year-round.

Various organizations like the Tuscarawas County Public Library and the Tuscarawas County Board of Developmental Disabilities FANS Network also host activities there. The center can also be rented for birthday parties on weekends.

Starkey has been working at the center since July 2021.

“My first year, I tried to figure out the crowd that was coming in, and honestly, it’s all age groups, because it’s anyone that’s coming to the park,” Starkey said.

The youth center is the first thing people see and many walk in.

“I found that a lot of kids, aged 3 through 10 are the ones that come in and are actually interested. So, I catered it more towards them,” Starkey said.

There are different areas of the youth center.

“The Kid Zone is catered more towards toddlers. There are toys, there’s a Legos table, things to keep them busy with their hands, and coloring,” Starkey said.

The new story walk adds much color and purpose to the center.

“I absolutely love the idea of the story walk,” Starkey said.

For a monthly schedule of activities at the youth center visit the Tuscora Park Facebook page or Tuscora Park website.