Last week, a group of women volunteers worked at Krepps Park to start installing posts for a new, educational trail that will wind around the playground area.
The volunteers, many of whom were part of Women United, an affinity group of the United Way of Monongalia and Preston Counties, spent time digging holes, placing posts in the ground, leveling those posts and putting concrete in to secure them. Once the concrete had dried, a group went out to install the signs.
The addition will be known as the Born Learning Trail. The name may sound familiar, and that’s because the first Born Learning Trail in Morgantown was at the riverfront park off Don Knotts Boulevard.
“The Born Learning Trail has a long history in Morgantown,” said United Way Engagement Manager Servando Arredondo. “For nearly a decade, the trail has been a reminder for people young and old to get out and really stop and smell the roses. … No, that’s really one of the steps.”
Each sign has questions for your kids and suggestions about what you can do with them to get them actively participating. For example: “Listen to the birds. Ask, ‘What are they saying? Can you sing like them?’ ” or “Point and say, ‘I see a tree. What rhymes with tree?’ Take turns.”
“The Born Learning Trail is designed to be used as a tool to educate those that decide to take the path. With multiple stations that make you use almost all of your senses, the trail really helps you to become aware of the world around you,” Arredondo said.
The idea behind the trail and the mission of Women United are closely aligned, so much so the group thought this would be a wonderful project to add to their lineup. One of the main goals for Women United is that all children be prepared for school and are given the tools to succeed in life. This means fundraising for many of these educational programming efforts.
The group, which has more than 300 members, is already the primary stakeholder in the local outreach of Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library. And Power of the Purse, which will be held from 5:30-8:30 p.m. Aug. 19 at WVU’s Erickson Alumni Center, is the largest fundraiser that benefits the Imagination Library in our area and features an array of high-end purses, food, drinks and a comedian. Tickets are on sale at unitedwaympc.org/potp.
Just as Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library emphasizes early literacy, the Born Learning Trail encourages interaction between adults and children to boost language and to help caregivers understand how to best support early learning in outdoor, everyday moments.
“With the installation of the trail at Krepps Park, we hope to reach more people and encourage more time spent outdoors, especially coming out of a year like 2020,” Arredondo said. “With new and improved signs, we hope to see many more years of learning on the Born Learning Trail.”
Thank you to the amazing Women United and other volunteers who helped install the trail!
