{"id":56140,"date":"2025-08-09T20:31:09","date_gmt":"2025-08-09T20:31:09","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/56140\/"},"modified":"2025-08-09T20:31:09","modified_gmt":"2025-08-09T20:31:09","slug":"new-storybook-trail-opens-for-families-in-southwest-michigan","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/56140\/","title":{"rendered":"New storybook trail opens for families in Southwest Michigan"},"content":{"rendered":"

VAN BUREN COUNTY, MI \u2013 A storybook trail, dedicated to the memory of a 90-year resident who shared her love of reading with countless children, is now open in a small town near Kalamazoo. <\/p>\n

Anne Coombs worked at the Lawton Public Library for 37 years and died in 2022. She \u201chosted many story hours and just loved to read and share her love of reading with kids,\u201d her daughter Susan Woodruff said.<\/p>\n

The trail is located behind St. Paul\u2019s United Methodist Church at 63855 North M-40 Highway, just north of Lawton. It\u2019s about 850 yards long and has 10 \u201cstorybook stations,\u201d each revealing the next page of a children\u2019s book, Woodruff said. <\/p>\n

\"StorybookOne of the stops on a storybook trail in Lawton, Michigan.Elizabeth Zahradnicek-Haas<\/p>\n

Use of the trail is free and open to everyone daily from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m.<\/p>\n

There are also other types of stations along the trail, Woodruff said. <\/p>\n

\u201cWe have a gnome village and a fairy village. A tea party area and a peacock area and ladybugs and butterflies and all these different things that my mom loved,\u201d she said.<\/p>\n

\"LawtonA new storybook trail behind St. Paul’s United Methodist Church honors long-time resident Anne Coombs who shared her love of reading with countless children.Courtesy\/ Elizabeth Zahradnicek-Haas<\/p>\n

The trail, made of crushed asphalt, is mostly level and easily maneuverable by strollers and people with walkers, Woodruff said. Benches are available at the end of the trail and at the tea party area for adults to rest while their children play. <\/p>\n

A different book will be displayed each month, she said. At the end of the trail, there\u2019s a picture of a butterfly that kids can take a picture of to get a free children\u2019s book at the Lawton Public Library. <\/p>\n

The variety of free books are geared for kids ages 2 through 11, Woodruff said. One book per child per summer is available.<\/p>\n

Everyone is welcome to use the trail, Woodruff said. \u201cOlder kids, younger kids would enjoy it too. I enjoy it just as an adult.\u201d<\/p>\n

The trail is sponsored by the Women\u2019s Fellowship Group of St. Paul\u2019s church, Woodruff said, of which she is a member. Most of the seed money came from memorial donations at Coombs\u2019 service, but the Women\u2019s Fellowship Group supplied the rest, including donating the books. <\/p>\n

\"StorybookThe view from a new storybook trail in Lawton, Michigan.Elizabeth Zahradnicek-Haas<\/p>\n

Susan Woodruff\u2019s husband, Mike Woodruff, built the stands for the book pages and the benches along the trail. <\/p>\n

Woodruff said the church group is planning different activities for the trail every month.<\/p>\n

This month, kids can do a scavenger hunt, where laminated cards are available at one of the stations to take and present at the Modern Well, a coffee shop in Lawton, for a free ice cream cone. <\/p>\n

Woodruff said the goal is to involve the community. In October, for example, she is planning to decorate the trail in a Halloween theme \u201cwith ghosts and bats and different things,\u201d she said. <\/p>\n

\u201cAnd little bags of candy. But they\u2019ll have to go to one of the businesses to get it,\u201d she said. <\/p>\n

The trail will likely stay open until the end of October, she said, then open again next year around May, depending on the weather and use.<\/p>\n

Coombs loved to throw parties, especially tea parties, Woodruff said. \u201cMany folks in Lawton were invited to her tea parties.\u201d<\/p>\n

They were fancy affairs, with tea sandwiches and tea things. \u201cShe was very big into that,\u201d Woodruff said. <\/p>\n

While the trail has been open since July, its official opening ceremony was Sunday, Aug. 3, featuring a pig roast and community picnic attended by about 120 people, Woodruff said. <\/p>\n

Her mother \u201cwould absolutely be thrilled about this trail,\u201d Woodruff said. \u201cBecause it\u2019s getting families out there and reading.\u201d <\/p>\n

Want more Kalamazoo-area news? Bookmark MLive\u2019s local Kalamazoo news page<\/a>.<\/p>\n

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