Families in Carstairs can turn a simple walk into a reading adventure this summer through a new 50-day StoryWalk program at the Carstairs Public Library. The outdoor literacy event starts July 4, 2026 and runs until August 22, giving kids and parents a free way to enjoy a story while moving along a local path.
The StoryWalk idea is simple: pages from a children’s book are posted along a walking route. As you stroll, you read the story step by step. It was created by Anne Ferguson in partnership with the Kellogg-Hubbard Library in Montpelier, Vermont, and has since spread to over 300 libraries across Canada and the United States, according to Let’s Move in Libraries.
Megan Ginther, library manager, and Chantelle Carr, children’s program coordinator, have seen growing interest in library activities. In 2024, program participation jumped 51 percent to 3,920 people, up from 2,600 the year before. The library also won the 2024 Minister’s Award for its Tough Topic Kits, which help families talk about hard subjects.
The StoryWalk fits into the library’s larger plan for 2026 to 2031, called Connect, Inspire, Grow. The plan aims to keep the town’s small-town feel even as Carstairs grows. The community had about 4,898 people in 2021 and one of the highest five-year growth rates in Alberta at 12.44 percent.
Anyone can take part in the StoryWalk at no cost. The library is at 1402 Scarlett Ranch Blvd. in Carstairs. More details can be found by calling the library or visiting its website.
