Albemarle’s new StoryWalk trail was officially dedicated during a June 18 ribbon-cutting ceremony. Photo courtesy Albemarle Parks and Recreation

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ALBEMARLE — The Stanly County Chamber of Commerce recently hosted a ribbon-cutting ceremony for Albemarle Parks and Recreation’s new StoryWalk outdoor reading adventure trail.

While the Parks and Rec Department originally unveiled the project at City Lake Park late last year, a formal dedication event for the trail was held Wednesday morning in front of collaborators and city officials.

The scenic 1.2-mile trail loop features an interactive reading experience — designed with a younger audience in mind — with pages from “From Head to Toe” by Eric Carle displayed at intervals throughout the path, promoting a combination of reading, exercise and nature appreciation.

“This innovative trail combines the joy of reading with the benefits of outdoor activity, making it a perfect outing for families and children,” Albemarle Parks and Recreation said in a statement. “This initiative aims to promote literacy, physical activity, and family engagement. It’s a wonderful way to inspire a love for reading and nature in children.”

StoryWalk begins near City Lake Park’s playground area, with each stop encouraging children to continue along the trail as the story’s plot progresses. Bilingual pages, movement prompts, QR codes to hear the story read aloud and a brief survey at the end for feedback are among the project’s interactive features.

The StoryWalk Project was created in 2007 by chronic disease prevention specialist Anne Ferguson in collaboration with the Kellogg-Hubbard Library.

Since then, the concept has spread internationally, with libraries, schools and parks adopting StoryWalks to promote early literacy and healthy lifestyles.

The Stanly County Chamber of Commerce referred to the project as “a testament to the power of partnership,” referencing the collaboration between Albemarle Parks and Recreation, Stanly County Partnership for Children, Stanly County Library, Atrium Health and Stanly Health Foundation that made the completion of StoryWalk possible.

“It’s something new to do when visiting Stanly County with the kids,” the Stanly County Convention and Visitors Bureau said of the trail. “Check out the new StoryWalk at City Lake Park on the northwestern edge of Albemarle. It’s a beautiful park with fishing, kayaks, playgrounds, trails and picnic areas, and now StoryWalk.”

City Lake Park, located at 815 Concord Road, has been a part of Albemarle’s parks system since 2003, covering about 75 acres of land around a 100-acre lake. It includes an 18-hole disc golf course, playground, bank fishing, canoe and kayak access, shelters, an amphitheater, as well as both paved and unpaved trails.