In addition to the TalkReadPlay Center in Watertown, we are excited to have several TalkReadPlay spaces throughout Dodge and Jefferson County. These spaces help build positive, interactive learning experiences for parents/caregivers and their young children.
Outdoor Play Spaces
The TalkReadPlay outdoor play spaces create fun early learning opportunities for children ages 2 – 5 yrs and their families.
These exciting, vibrant spaces are specifically designed to encourage caregiver-child interaction and to communicate the importance of early brain development. Each space features unique play houses, musical instruments and activity panels.
Check out the TalkReadPlay Play Spaces in the following communities:
- Hustisford – Lion’s Park
- Clyman – United Family Playground at Village Park
- Waterloo – Firemen’s Park
- Juneau Public Library
- Jefferson – Rock River Landing
Born Learning Trails
In partnership with United Way, TalkReadPlay Born Learning Trails contain 10 interactive signs with activities for adults to engage in with young children to turn an outdoor walk into a fun learning experience. Signs are printed in English and Spanish.
The trails can be found in the following locations:
Jefferson – along the Glacial River Bike Trail. To access the trail, park at the Glacial River Trail trailhead on Wisconsin Avenue, just north of the Hwy 26 Bypass Bridge. From there, follow the signs along the trail north.
Hustisford – pathway in Lion’s Park.
Storybook Trails
Storybook trails offer a fun and interactive opportunity to learn outdoors! Through stationed pages of a children’s book, the trails help build a child’s interest in reading while increasing quality time spent with their families and caregivers.
Each trail in the TalkReadPlay service area offers a unique outdoor setting, with books at each location changed regularly.
Create family fun by visiting each of the four trails. For those looking for a bigger adventure, pack a lunch and visit all the trails in one day!
Watertown
Watertown’s trail, which was created through a partnership between Friends of the Library and Leadership Watertown, begins by the baseball complex in Brandt-Quirk Park. It starts on the path next to the railroad tracks and meanders through Lunde Woods. At the end of every story, is a question children and their families can answer to be entered into a drawing for the featured book.
Jefferson
Everyone is welcome to enjoy the StoryWalk® located at the Meadow Springs Conservancy. The StoryWalk® starts at the Conservancy trailhead off Dewey Ave, continues along the Stoppenbach Park walking path. Read the book and enjoy nature along the path. Finish the adventure by playing at the park’s playground.
Lake Mills
The L.D. Fargo Public Library StoryWalk® is located at Wallace Park in Lake Mills. The trail begins by the playground, winds through the woods and around a field, and ends back at the playground. The trail encourages interaction with questions or an activity related to each page. The story is changed every 3 months.
Waterloo
The Waterloo Storybook Trail is located at the Karl Junginger Memorial Library’s grounds, in a park-like setting. The stories are swapped out monthly during summer and every 2-3 months during colder weather.
