![]() “It felt like people actually believed in me and I felt like my parents and everyone that believes in me would actually care,” said third-grader Ethan Perdue.īowersock plans to form the “Buddies” group again next year.Ĭopyright 2021 by WSLS 10 - All rights reserved. This eight-week-long journey started on June 23 and about 16 kids and approximately a dozen officers and volunteers participated. It takes a lot more than that to build trust,” stated Bowersock. You have about thirty minutes once a week to chat with a law enforcement officer or community volunteer. The relationship-building has got to start somewhere,” said Roanoke City Police Deputy Chief Eric Charles.Īlly Bowersack, the owner of RunAbout Sports Roanoke, organized the initiative with the help of Deputy Chief Charles and Retired Roanoke City Police Deputy Chief Monti Lee. “They’ll come up to you and you’re a jungle gym to them, and that’s good. ![]() It brings them together to realize we all walk the same path. A pilot program put kids and officers on the same path: a 3-mile run through Roanoke on Wednesday.īadge Buddies stretches kids and cops out of their norm. – They came together to run together and their hope is they’ll stay together. If you’re interested in sponsoring a remaining StoryWalk, please reach out to Susan Herndon-Powell at or call 54.ROANOKE, Va. The StoryWalk® Project was created by Anne Ferguson of Montpelier, Vermont, and developed in collaboration with the Kellogg-Hubbard Library. The first book for families to enjoy is “Cat’s Colors” by Airlie Anderson. Community partners such as these are bringing more families outside to enjoy our amazing parks and read fun books,” Herndon-Powell said.Ĭitizens are encouraged to visit these StoryWalks throughout the year during park hours, and the Department plans to update the books quarterly. “Thank you so much to RunAbout Sports for funding the first display and to Book City Roanoke for funding the second. ![]() Thanks to Book City Roanoke, folks can enjoy another exhibit in Washington Park in the next few months. “We could not have contributed without the support of our running community helping us through the most challenging circumstances-it’s great to see a permanent physical representation of what supporting your community can do.”īowersock’s rising-tides-lifts-all-ships mentality appears to be contagious as PLAY Roanoke has secured a sponsorship for their second StoryWalk. On average, RunAbout assists with 34-40 races per year and has helped raise thousands for charities throughout the area. RunAbout will also send a event-trained employee to assist your race free of charge. “We are thrilled to sponsor a community collaboration that blends so many healthy things: outdoor play, reading, socialization, and physical activity,” she said. Official RunAbout Sports races take precedent, followed by the VT 3.2 for 32 and Virginia Tech Homecoming races. To owner Ally Bowersock, this sponsorship seemed like a no-brainer. This first installment was made possible through a generous sponsorship from RunAbout Sports Roanoke. She’s partnered with Roanoke Public Libraries for the books to display, recruited staff to make the stands, and searched for sponsors to help fund these exhibits. Immediately sold on the idea, Herndon-Powell has since led the charge to bring them to local parks. They promote early literacy, encourage physical activity, and are free and accessible to all. These displays encourage kids and families to visit their local parks and read a story while outside. While looking for ways to encourage more folks to interact with nature, she came across StoryWalks. Of course things like leading paddling classes and camping trips is a big part of her job, but she also understands that sometimes outdoor recreation is simply being outside. Herndon-Powell has always been passionate about getting folks outside. Our goal is for at least one park in every corner of the city to house a display,” Susan Herndon-Powell, PLAY Roanoke Outdoor Programming Supervisor, said. “We’re so excited for the first permanent StoryWalk display to be unveiled at Belmont Park. This first of five was officially unveiled on this past Monday. StoryWalks are free, interactive exhibits in local parks and trails that encourage early literacy, healthy lifestyles, and family interactions through storytelling. But that’s just what you’ll encounter along the walking paths at Belmont Park. ![]() Things you expect to see at parks: playgrounds, greenspace, shelters. Holidays at the Historic Fishburn Mansion.Washington Park Pool (currently closed).Grandin Court Park and Recreation Center.
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