Communities across the country are discovering creative ways to blend outdoor recreation with early childhood literacy, and Tallahassee, Florida is leading the charge. We recently had the honor of playing a role in “Fully Booked,” an incredible placemaking initiative led by the Knight Creative Communities Institute (KCCI) 2022 Community Catalyst team.
In partnership with Leon County Government and the Friends of the Leon County Public Library, KCCI unveiled the brand-new "Wander and Wonder" Story Trail at Pedrick Pond Park. Located just outside the Eastside Branch Library, this project takes the pages of a children's book and transforms them into an interactive, nature-based walking trail.
Families can stroll along the scenic loop, relaxing in the new hammock garden, resting on custom book-themed benches, and reading a story step-by-step as they enjoy the fresh air.
To make the story trail vision a reality, the project required highly durable, accessible, and visually appealing outdoor exhibit hardware. Here is a look at how our team at Wilderness Graphics engineered the perfect solution for the Wander and Wonder trail.
Built for the Outdoors: The Book Pedestal Mount
Creating a story trail means placing reading materials in the elements year-round. The displays need to protect paper pages from rain, humidity, and UV damage, all while being set at the perfect height for young readers and individuals using wheelchairs or strollers.
For the Pedrick Pond Park installation, we utilized our Book Pedestal Wayside Exhibit Mount. These heavy-duty mounts are specifically designed for story walks and botanical gardens.
Weather-Resistant Protection: We engineered the frames with specialized weatherstripping and a secure gasket system, ensuring the laminated book pages remain dry and legible, no matter the harsh Florida weather.
Accessible Angles: The low-profile, angled pedestal design makes it incredibly easy for children to read the pages as they wander from stop to stop.
Easy Updates: A specialized security screw system allows Leon County park and library staff to quickly swap out stories, keeping the trail fresh and engaging throughout the year.
Custom Touches: Powder-Coated Aluminum Designs
A great story trail isn't just about functionality; it should capture the imagination and match the artistic spirit of the larger "Fully Booked" initiative. To elevate the visual appeal of the pedestals, we worked with KCCI to incorporate custom metalwork into the structures.
Using our Powder-Coated Aluminum Designs, we integrated custom cut-outs directly into the aluminum posts and frames. Finished in a rich, natural brown powder coat, these decorative elements seamlessly blend the structural mounts with the natural environment of Pedrick Pond Park. The pedestals also prominently feature the KCCI and Friends of Leon County Library logos, highlighting the incredible community partnerships that brought this project to life.
A Trail of Imagination
The Fully Booked project and the Wander and Wonder Story Trail serve as a beautiful example of how thoughtful design, local art, and robust fabrication can bring a community together. By combining the natural beauty of Leon County's parks with the joy of reading, these interactive pedestals are helping cultivate a lifelong love of literacy and the outdoors for local children.
Are you looking to build a story trail or outdoor reading walk for your community?
Explore our highly durable Book Pedestal Wayside Exhibit Mounts and custom Powder-Coated Aluminum Designs.
Contact Wilderness Graphics today to see how we can help on your next project.