Storybook Trails are great ways to experience the gift of reading while being outdoors & exploring our local parks/libraries. Director of Ohio Department of Natural Resources said it best, “Visiting a Storybook Trail is a great opportunity for families to enjoy learning in the outdoors together. Kids of all ages will find fun and interactive ways to engage with these stories all while discovering more about conservation and the natural world.”

That’s why I’ve put together a list of Storybook Trails around Cleveland for you to easily find these trails. Click each city for the location (alphabetically organized.) Scroll down for east & south side locations.

WEST SIDE

1. AVON – Every Child’s Playground has a super cute storybook trail behind the playground in the woods on the walking path.

2. AVON LAKE – Kopf Family Resevation through Lorain County Metro Parks has a storybook trail that gets updated regularly. This hidden reservation is behind the Avon Lake Public Library.

3. BAY VILLAGE – The Bay Village Branch StoryWalk is presented with support from the Friends of the Bay Village Library. The StoryWalk runs along the exterior of the branch.

4. BAY VILLAGE – Lake Erie Nature & Science Center has a short Storybook Trail outside the building on the Bunny Trail. There is a new book each & every week.

5. BEREA – Located in Coe Lake adjacent to Mucklo Playground, you’ll find a nice StoryWalk trail in the woods by the lake.

6. BROOK PARK – Each month, from May through October, the Brook Park Branch will feature a different picture book to read while taking a nice walk from the branch to the Rec Center!

7. BROOKLYN – Located in Marquardt Park, a new storybook trail can be found here during the summer months.

8. COLUMBIA STATION – There is one located in Columbia Township Park.

9. GRAFTON – There is one located at Sheldon Woods, part of Indian Hollow Reservation.

10. LAGRANGE – This one is at Lagrange Community Park. There’s a little lake nearby as well.

11. LAGRANGE – Lorain County Metro Parks has a storybook trail within the Carlisle Reservation in Lagrange. This one is located at the Children’s Discovery Trail which has super fun exploration cabins & interactive paintings on the pavement.

12. LORAIN – There is a super nice storybook trail at Black River Landing in Lorain.

13. NORTH OLMSTED – New this year, North Olmsted has a brand new StoryWalk at North Olmsted Community Park.

14. NORTH OLMSTED – Travel the new Storybook Trail near Rocky River Nature Center where you can read “Over in the Forest” by Marianne Berkes along this short, wooded trail. The trail begins near the Rocky River Nature Center parking lot.

15. NORTH RIDGEVILLE – South Central Park has a great storywalk. This park itself is picturesque – there’s pretty pond & the playground is great here.

16. OLMSTED FALLS – David Fortier Park in Olmsted Falls had a storybook trail last year. Not 100% sure if it will return this year but worth checking out if in the area.

17. ROCKY RIVER – Rocky River Public Library has a trail right outside the library. There is a new book each & every week.

18. SHEFFIELD LAKE – New storybook trail at Ferndale Park in Sheffield Lake. This park also has a skate park.

19. WAKEMAN – The story starts the front of Dalton Park Preserve and follows the Outer Walking Path. Stories are chosen for families with children of various ages and change monthly.

20. WESTLAKE – Westlake Porter Public Library and the City of Westlake have partnered to provide a StoryWalk in the Westlake Recreation Center Park, located along the walking path near the playground. New books are out monthly.

21. WELLINGTON – This brand new Storybook trail is at Findley State Park in Wellington.

22. WELLINGTON – A new Storywalk is up at Herrick Memorial Library. Be sure to pick up a map at the library’s book return as it includes an additional hand out; Exploring a Bug’s life! This has some fun activities to do with your children.

23. VERMILION – Part scavenger hunt, part storytime. Each Wednesday during the Summer Reading Program, you can enjoy a stroll around Ritter Public Library to read a story. At the end of the tale, find a secret code that children participating in our digital Summer Reading Program can enter to redeem a ticket.

EAST SIDE

1. ASHTABULA – This Ohio Rest Area Storybook Trail is a collaboration between the Ohio Department of Transportation and Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library of Ohio.

2. ASHTABULA – This storybook trail is located in Ashtabula County Metroparks along the Near One Cattail loop.

3. BEACHWOOD – Located in Beachwood City Park East, this one is managed by Beachwood Branch of Cuyahoga County Public Library System.

4. MADISON – Madison Public Library has a storybook trail which is nearby to Madison Middle School.

5. MAYFIELD – Located behind the Cuyahoga County Public Library Mayfield Branch.

6. SOLON – This is at Solon Recreation Department. It starts by the Senior Center parking lot.

SOUTH SIDE

1. AKRON – Bath Community Park features a storybook trail.

2. BRIMFIELD TOWNSHIP – A 0.25 mi loop storybook trail located near a pavilion, basketball court, and baseball field. 3rd grade reading level, natural surface (not paved.)

3. CANTON – Hike in one direction and follow an original story about Anna the garter snake and Claude the painted turtle. Hike in the opposite direction and learn about local wildlife with video features. A Wildlife Center with live animals is included in the route.

4. HUDSON – Veterans Way Trail is lined with a beautiful Story Walk sponsored by Hudson Community Education & Recreation in partnership with the Friends of Hudson Parks. Stories are often have a theme that relates to our younger community members.

5. HUDSON – Bicentennial Woods Trail is lined with a story walk maintained by Hudson Community Education & Recreation in partnership with Friends of Hudson Parks. Stories and field guides are posted at this location.

6. MEDINA – Carolyn Ludwig Park has a storybook trail & has a side nature trail to check out as well. There’s a beautiful playground here, too!

7. MOGADORE – Pages come alive at the Storybook Trail at Wingfoot Lake State Park! This half-mile, paved loop trail features lake views and a little bridge overlooking Lilly pad covered waters. It can be found just beyond the playground, across from the park office.

8. RICHFIELD – Part of the Richfield Branch Library, this storybook trail is located right next to it.

9. TWINSBURG – This StoryWalk trail is at the Twinsburg Public Library.

Know of any others I should add to the list?
Comment below or contact me HERE.