Bristol unveils new Story Book Trail

Officials have opened a new Story Book Trail in Bristol’s scenic Steele Creek Park as part of efforts to promote childhood literacy. Located along the arboretum path to the Lakeside Trail, the project was funded with a grant from the Governor’s Early Literacy Foundation (GELF) at the request of the Appalachian Literacy Initiative (ALI), the trail includes child-height panels that change every three months as a new book is featured. The first Storybook Trail was launched by GELF at Long Hunter State Park in 2018 through a partnership with the Tennessee State Parks Conservancy. The program has since expanded across the state to include state and city parks, as well as other outdoor spaces. As part of its mission to enhance access to books for children in our region, the nonprofit ALI asked GELF to fund a Storybook Trail in Bristol at the 2200-acre Steele Creek Park. Park officials helped choose the ideal location. The Storybook Trail begins near the Bristol Host Lions Club Shelter (Shelter F), running along the arboretum path to Lakeside Trail.