Lincoln County R-III School District CAPS and ARTEffect students, along with representatives from S. M. Wilson & Co., LCCOA, and Elite Tool, stand together at the Ribbon Cutting for the Weinand Park Storybook Walk in Troy.
Image of the Ribbon Cutting Event
St. Louis, MO—Weinand Park is now home to a new and improved Storybook Walk, a community-driven project celebrating literacy, creativity, and outdoor activity. Made possible by a collaborative effort between local organizations and students, the Storybook Walk features a rotating selection of stories and artwork displayed along a walking path. A ribbon-cutting ceremony was held on May 7 to officially open the new attraction.
The project was a collaborative effort between S. M. Wilson, Lincoln County Council on Aging (LCCOA), and Elite Tool in coordination with Lincoln County R-III School District CAPS and ARTEffect students.
Troy Buchanan High School received the inaugural $1,000 SKILLED® grant from S. M. Wilson to enhance the City’s existing Storybook Walk. “ This project perfectly embodies what SKILLED is all about—empowering students to apply their creativity and technical skills to make a real difference in their community,” said Amanda Bohnert, Chief Marketing Officer and founder of SKILLED at S. M. Wilson. “It’s inspiring to see young people take ownership of a project that promotes literacy, learning, and public space in such a meaningful way.”
Students from Troy Buchanan High School CAPS program designed, created and installed durable display boards intended to withstand weather and time. “Through the improvement of our Storybook Walk, we hope to reach community members and enhance the park’s recreational purpose,” stated the students in their application for the SKILLED grant.
S. M. Wilson launched the SKILLED® Construction Career Education Program in 2019 to provide hands-on learning opportunities from Kindergarten through college, introducing students to careers in the skilled trades.
The Storybook Walk aims to promote literacy, a love of reading, art, and outdoor activity for children and families in the community.