Shrewsbury – Thanks to the support from a group of area teens and a local businessman, the Shrewsbury Public Library/Parks and Recreation Department Story Walk at Jordan pond has been restored. The self-guided “Story Walk” will re-open to the public at 10 a.m. Thursday, Aug. 2 at Jordan Pond.
Volunteers from the youth group Leaders of Tomorrow worked to recreate and re-install the story pages, and local businessman Sean Flynn, of Flynn's Truck Stop and Al's Oil, provided the funding to purchase all the supplies needed.
Library Director Ellen Dolan and Parks and Recreation Director Angela Snell applauded the efforts of the teens and the generosity of Flynn.
“It was such a nice surprise to hear from the teens, to know that they wanted to recreate something that served the young families of Shrewsbury,” Snell commented. “They displayed a great sense of community pride and concern.”
Dolan agreed, saying, “We felt terrible that we didn's have the resources to recreate the walk after the vandalism. When Sean Flynn contacted me to offer financial support, and the teens contacted Angela to offer their assistance, well, it was just? incredible news. It certainly took away the disappointment we felt upon hearing of the vandalism. We know children will be delighted to finally have the chance to take the story walk.”
Children and families can stroll the one-third of a mile, paved walking trail around Jordan Pond and enjoy a reading of Sheep Take a Hike by Nancy Shaw.? At a series of stops along the way, visitors can enjoy subsequent pages in the story about three silly sheep, charmingly illustrated by Margot Apple. The Jordan Pond trail is open dawn to dusk, and the story begins at the Ridgeland Road entrance.
