Parks and Libraries came together seeking opportunities to enhance summertime family experiences. “Tails and Tales” was fitting Summer Reading Program theme to celebrate Parks & Recreation Month in July. The collaboration continued with coordinated outdoor gatherings as a means of engaging the community and slowly returning to in-person activities. Elements of the partnership came to fruition at both Library and Parks facilities, requiring cooperation across all levels of both organizations.

Over 2000 of Parks’ Nature Adventure Journals were distributed as part of SRP. The library also produced a special edition of “Read, Watch, Listen” featuring book, music and film recommendations from Parks and Recreation staff. For Park(ing) Day, both organizations took over the Main Library parking lot to promote Parks’ pollinators program and mobile games van “The PlayMaker”. Collaborative planning sessions produced “Outdoor Voices,” a walk and talk YouTube experience combining poetry with nature center highlights.

Over 1,700 children and teens enrolled in Summer Reading Program. Copies of the Nature Adventure Journal were distributed through October. Thirty viewers enjoyed the special edition of Read Watch Listen and 42 individuals attended Park(ing) Day, the library’s first in-person activity since COVID-19. To date, “Outdoor Voices” has brought the poetry of Emily Dickinson and the beauty of Palm Beach County natural areas to 162 viewers. Plans to offer this experience as a recurring in-person event are in development.

Click here to learn more from the library's July event.