Westside Community Guide

28 – 2023 Westside Community Guide Your dream home starts here 14100 Forest Hills Blvd | Hiwasse, AR 72739 | 479-787-1087 www.cowdreycountertops.com ■ Hiwasse Park gets StoryWalk and Little Free Library A StoryWalk and Little Free Library opened this past fall at Hiwasse Park. City of Gravette mayor Kurt Maddox thanked the various entities that worked together to bring the StoryWalk to Hiwasse Park. Zina Weihe, a representative of the Hiwasse Committee, talked about the Little Free Library, which contains books for all ages. Samuel, Elijah, Noah and Abigail Holloway joined Mayor Maddox in cutting the ribbon. e StoryWalk features 18 displays set along a quarter-mile walking trail, with each display containing a portion of a picture book, allowing people to read as they travel along the pathway. A different book will be displayed at the StoryWalk each month. e grand opening event featured the book, "Fletcher and the Falling Leaves," written by Julia Rawlinson and illustrated by Tiphanie Beeke. e StoryWalk Project, created by Anne Ferguson of Montpelier, Vermont, provides an innovative way for children and adults to enjoy reading and being outdoors. "It's a fun way to combine physical fitness with literacy," said Karen Benson, director of the Gravette Public Library. e Gravette Public Library, Gravette Parks Department and Gravette Police Department worked together to bring StoryWalk to Hiwasse Park. e project was funded by the American Rescue Plan Act as administered through the Institute of Museum and Library Services and the Arkansas State Library, a private donation, and support of the Friends of the Gravette Public Library. e Little Free Library project began in 2009 when Todd H. Bol built the first Little Free Library as a tribute to his mother, who had passed away. e Little Free Library at Hiwasse Park was purchased with proceeds from last year's Hiwasse Fall Festival and is painted red to reflect the park's firehouse theme. People may take a book to read or leave one for someone else to read. by Susan Holland | Reprinted from a previous edition of the Westside Eagle Observer

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