Stories are popping up in our parks

Something new is taking shape in Suwanee’s parks—an opportunity to get outside, get moving, and enjoy a good story along the way.

StoryWalk

Girl Scout Gold Award recipient Shannon Kress has created a StoryWalk along the Brushy Creek Greenway behind PlayTown Suwanee Park to share her love of reading with the community.

A StoryWalk is an interactive experience where pages of a children’s book are displayed along an outdoor trail, inviting families and children to walk the path while reading a story, with engaging activities at each station.

Shannon’s project is part of her Girl Scout Gold Award, the highest honor in Girl Scouts of the USA, an organization for girls ages 5–17 that empowers them to make a difference in their communities. As a high school sophomore and longtime Girl Scout, Shannon has spent over 100 hours planning and leading this sustainable “Take Action” project, which addresses the need for increased literacy opportunities and encourages children to spend more time outdoors and less time on screens.

In partnership with the City of Suwanee and Gwinnett Public Library, Shannon’s StoryWalk is the first permanent installation of its kind in Gwinnett County. Located along the paved trail connecting PlayTown Suwanee to the local library and fire station, the project also raises awareness about free community resources that support reading and learning.

Inspired by the global StoryWalk movement founded by Anne Ferguson, Shannon hopes to give children the same positive reading experiences she enjoyed growing up while building a stronger connection within her community. Shannon specifically thanks the North Gwinnett Rotary Club, Suwanee Kiwanis Club, and the Gwinnett Public Library Foundation for their generous support of the project.

Little Free Library Locations

Suwanee Parks:

1. Sims Lake Park (LFL #132640). 4600 Suwanee Dam Road. Placed by Claire Brautigan, Girl Scout Gold Award project, 2021.
2. Suwanee Creek Park, Alder pavilion. 1170 Buford Highway. Placed by Aarush Ganesh, Eagle Scout project for Troop 608.
3. PlayTown Suwanee. 425 Main Street. Placed by Aarush Ganesh, Eagle Scout project for Troop 608.
4. White Street Park/Harvest Farm. 752 White Street.

Inside Suwanee City Limits:

1. Ruby Forest subdivision gazebo (LFL #177337). 23 Roberts Road, facing Buford Highway.
2. Burn Boot Camp Suwanee (LFL #207828). 3255 Lawrenceville-Suwanee Road, Suite 10-S.
3. Suwanee Elementary School (LFL #69477). 3875 Smithtown Road.
4. Epiphany Lutheran Church. 1350 Peachtree Industrial Blvd.

Just Outside City Limits: 

1. Roberts Elementary School (2 separate book swap locations on site). 251 Buford Highway.

Other Fun Free Exchange Sites Worth Visiting:

• For the pups: a "fetching" stick library, located at the Suwanee Arts Center, 3930 Charleston Market Street.
• For anyone: art supplies library. Take what you need; leave a little extra. You may find paints, colored pencils, pastels, or a myriad of other goodies. Located at the Suwanee Arts Center, 3930 Charleston Market Street.

Gwinnett County Public Library Suwanee Branch

The Suwanee Branch of the Gwinnett County Public Library helps support a love of reading in our community through programs, resources, and partnerships like the StoryWalk. From early literacy to lifelong learning, the library is a valuable part of making stories accessible both inside and outside its walls.