Downsview Park: now with reading walks

The Downsview Park, though neglected by authorities, is now coming to life thanks to community efforts and our beloved but underfunded library system. In a walk possibly inspired by Jane Jacobs, the library is making books available to youngsters and parents who want to go for a walk in the park.
Parents of young children looking to combine book time with outdoor learning can take part in the Wild Reading Walk May 16 to 30 in Downsview. Launching Saturday at 2 p.m. at Downsview library, 2793 Keele St., the pilot program aimed at children aged three to eight encourages youngsters to sign out a set of four picture books corresponding to four sites at nearby Downsview Park: the grove (tree area), apple orchard, water area (pond), and city garden. Taking the books to the park, located several blocks north of the branch, parents and tots will commence a self-guided tour that should take about two to three hours to complete, said Wild Reading Walk creator Jonny Deshman, program co-ordinator of education and community programs for Downsview Park.
“We wanted to get people outside in the park and get people reading,” he said. “We want to make those two things as easy as possible. Reading a book in an apple orchard is better than reading it in your house. The walk is aimed at young families, but even if you are older everyone enjoys a walk through a park.”
In other Toronto news, OMB decision is a win for the Spadina and College neighbourhood.
Sources / More info: downsviewpark.ca/events/wild-reading-walk Reading a walk in the park in Downsview
[tags]reading, literacy, library, downsview park[/tags]

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