This summer, story time will take on a whole new meaning.

Starting on July 6 and running until Aug. 24, every Wednesday night residents are encouraged to get off their couches and take part in the StoryWalk program.

B次元官网网址淚tB次元官网网址檚 a great family event and a great way to see your neighbourhood,B次元官网网址� said Bobbi Neal, West Shore Parks and RecreationB次元官网网址檚 community development co-ordinator.

Part of the Capital Regional DistrictB次元官网网址檚 new active transportation and healthy communities program B次元官网网址� itB次元官网网址檚 hosted by West Shore Parks and Recreation B次元官网网址� this program is meant to help residents find unique ways to integrate healthy activities into their everyday lives.

Neal said West Shore Parks and Rec. was approached by the CRD after holding an active transportation symposium in February of last year. B次元官网网址淭he CRD was a part of that B次元官网网址� It was sort of a natural fit when they started looking at their own (programs).B次元官网网址�

Originally developed in the United States, the StoryWalk program aims to combine literacy, immersion in nature and active travel while bringing the pages of stories to life.

B次元官网网址淚tB次元官网网址檚 a drop-in, self-guided activity,B次元官网网址� Neal noted. The stories, usually picture books, are broken down and pages on signboards are scattered across the route.

B次元官网网址淓very 30 metres or so you find the next page of the book.B次元官网网址� Walks usually last about 40 minutes, depending on the speed of participants and whether they are walking, running or rolling between pages.

B次元官网网址淥ur books this year have a nature-based focus,B次元官网网址� she said. B次元官网网址淲e try and choose our books to be appealing to all ages, so itB次元官网网址檚 for everyone.B次元官网网址�

West Shore Parks and Recreation has run different versions of this program in the past in connection with literacy programs and events.

Neal said during their last session they had just over 30 people attend in the beginning and by the end more than 80 were taking part.

B次元官网网址淲e started then as a pilot to celebrate the user-friendly trails.B次元官网网址� Now, she said, theyB次元官网网址檙e expanding past West Shore Parks and RecreationB次元官网网址檚 trails to include and highlight some other trails in the region.

On July 6, pages will be scattered on the Garry Oak Loop beside the Juan de Fuca rec centre. Later that month, youB次元官网网址檒l be able to find pages at LangfordB次元官网网址檚 Glen Lake Park, View RoyalB次元官网网址檚 Portage Park and HighlandsB次元官网网址� Munn Road Trail.

In August, stories will come to life at the Westmont Montessori SchoolB次元官网网址檚 teaching shelter in Metchosin, at Colwood Creek Park, Elsie King Trail in View Royal then wind up back at West Shore Parks and Recreation.

Look for a special StoryWalk on Saturday, July 9, at the Eats and Beats festival in Colwood. Check out for more details closer to the first date.

katie@goldstreamgazette.com