A group of second-grade students gathered in front of a pastel balloon arch with Murray the Dragon, the city's library mascot, Monday to participate in the official grand opening of Murray Park's new Tale Trail.
The trail, just behind the park's amphitheater, features pages of a picture book for kids to read as they walk along. "If You Give a Cat a Cupcake" by Laura Numeroff is on display now, though the book will be replaced quarterly, weather permitting.
"It's just a fun way for people to enjoy the park in a little different way, combining a little bit of exercise with a little bit of literature," Murray library director Kim Fong said.
Fong said the idea came from libraries doing similar trails in other states.
The project originated in 2018 with some test runs at the arboretum at Murray Park, but Fong said it didn't work because the trail isn't straight and the temporary signs weren't holding up. After working with city parks and recreation officials, the library chose the trail that opened Monday.
There are 17 signs along the trail, Fong said, because most children's books are 32 pages, and they can put a two-page spread in each sign. The books will be chosen based on popularity at the library, and if a book is too long, they will likely pick something else, Fong said.
Murray Mayor Brett Hales said the trail allows children to do more at the park than just swings and slides.
"I can't say enough about our library and parks," he said. "They're connecting together for the kids, so they can exercise and be able to read the books along the way."
The pages on display are from the English version of the book, but a Spanish translation is written underneath the pages.
The trail is open the same hours as Murray Park, from 6 a.m. to 11 p.m. each day.
