Grand Opening of the Moutvic Family StoryWalk®

On October 17, a beautiful sunny fall day, the Crete Public Library and Crete Park District hosted a Grand Opening of the Moutvic Family StoryWalk® at Peter Halligan Park. The ribbon cutting ceremony and reception were well attended by representatives from the Moutvic family, the Friends of the Library, the Library Board of Trustees, Crete Park District commissioners, Library and Park District employees, and members of the community.

A generous donation to the Friends of the Library, from the late Dr. Richard and Mary Moutvic's estate, underwrote the costs of the StoryWalk®. The Library and Park District worked together over several months to create a fitting tribute to their memory, highlighting their love of children’s literature. Maureen Moutvic Sheetz commented, “They always, always read to us every night. My dad had never heard of Winnie the Pooh until my mom was reading to us. And he loved it!” Her brother Peter Moutvic added, “They were also devout nature lovers and lifelong learners. This nature walk is a real honor.”

A StoryWalk® is an innovative and delightful way for families to enjoy reading and the outdoors at the same time. Laminated pages from a children's book are encased in weatherproof frames and installed along a walkable path. The first story of the Moutvic Family StoryWalk® is "Squirrels Leap, Squirrels Sleep" by April Pulley Sayre. This picture book explores the activities of squirrels and is a perfect choice to be set among the fall foliage at the park. Stories will be refreshed four times a year.

The Moutvic Family StoryWalk® is located at Peter Halligan Park, on Nicolette Drive in Crete. The park, less than three blocks west of the Illinois Route 394/Steger Road intersection, deviates from the typical idea of a place with playground equipment. Instead, the six-and-a-half acre park focuses on the quiet beauty the land offers as an area for bird and butterfly observation. The new StoryWalk® is an enhancement to this natural setting and provides an incentive for families with young children to visit. Peter Halligan Park is open from sunrise to sunset.

For more information, please call the Crete Public Library at (708) 672-8017.