One Joplin invites families, educators, and community members to celebrate the unveiling of a new story installation at the Leonard Park StoryWalk®. The event will take place on Thursday, December 11, at 9:00 a.m. at Leonard Park, 408 Turk Avenue, Joplin.
This free, family-friendly celebration will include:
- Photos
with Nana Clause
- Joplin
Parents as Teachers resources and activities
- Children’s
crafts
- Complimentary
children’s books
The featured story, If Mice Pulled the Sleigh by Bill
Barnsley, illustrated by Mariano Epelbaum, is a whimsical winter
tale that celebrates imagination, teamwork, and holiday cheer.
This project represents a collaboration between One
Joplin, Schreiber, and Joplin Parks and Recreation,
highlighting the power of partnerships that promote literacy, creativity,
and outdoor family engagement.
“Partnerships like this show what’s possible when our
community comes together,” said Nicole Brown, Executive Director of One
Joplin. “By combining creativity, literacy, and play, we’re making reading more
accessible and fun for every family. We are grateful to Schreiber and Joplin
Parks and Recreation for helping us make this possible.”
“If Mice Pulled the Sleigh is a fun and
engaging StoryWalk® that will be sure to unleash giggles and connection.
Children learn best playing, reading, and connecting with loving adults.
Providing opportunities for families to explore, imagine, and read together
makes our community so much richer.” said Jessica Pommert, Co-Chair of the
One Joplin Education and Literacy Team.
The If Mice Pulled the Sleigh StoryWalk® will remain
on display through February 2026, offering families several months to
enjoy reading and exploring outdoors. Another StoryWalk® is also available at
the Joplin Public Library, providing additional opportunities for
families to experience stories in creative and interactive ways.
“We envision a Joplin where stories are woven into the
places families already love to visit,” said Christina Matekel-Gibson,
Co-Chair of the One Joplin Education and Literacy Team and Children’s Librarian
at Joplin Public Library. “Each new StoryWalk® helps build a culture where
reading is celebrated everywhere.”
One Joplin leads collaborative initiatives focused on
education, literacy, health, and poverty reduction. The StoryWalk®
installation reflects the organization’s ongoing commitment to strengthening
community connections through partnerships and creative learning opportunities.
The StoryWalk® Project was originally created by Anne
Ferguson of Montpelier, Vermont, in partnership with the Vermont Bicycle
& Pedestrian Coalition and the Kellogg-Hubbard Library. It has
since grown into a national movement encouraging families to combine reading
with outdoor recreation.
Event Details
📍 Location:
Leonard Park, 408 Turk Avenue, Joplin, MO
📅
Date: Thursday, December 11, 2025
🕘
Time: 9:00 a.m.
🎟️
Cost: Free and open to the public