Constance's Story | Park District of Highland Park

Read & Walk Along the Trails

Constance’s Story Trail is made possible through a generous grant to the Parks Foundation by former Highland Park resident Marc Mar-Yohana in collaboration with Heller Nature Center and our extraordinary volunteers. This was Mar-Yohana’s touching tribute to his late daughter and to celebrate her love of nature and reading. Constance and her father had shared many joyous hours reading the books posted along Heller Nature Center’s story trail.

Featured books along the trail change seasonally and include some of Constance’s favorites books. Organizers also hope to offer a chance for local youth to display their writing.

Constance’s Story Trail is based on the StoryWalk® Project. The StoryWalk® Project was created by Anne Ferguson of Montpelier, VT and developed in collaboration with the Kellogg-Hubbard Library. StoryWalk® is a registered service mark owned by Ms. Ferguson.

About Constance

“It was something we always loved to do together,” said Mar-Yohana, explaining that Constance was on the autism spectrum and had difficulty with physical coordination and speaking. “The Nature Center really gave her a chance to exercise. She liked seeing the trees and shuffling her feet through the leaves in the fall and got excited watching squirrels running, birds flying by, and frogs jumping in the pond.”

The posted stories made their visits to Heller Nature Center even more rewarding since Constance’s ability to speak was at its best when reading aloud. “The books gave her an extra incentive to walk the full trail,” Mar-Yohana said. “Our goal in bringing it back is to make it last with the best available equipment. I really want other families to be able to enjoy it.”

A Home Can Be…

Featured Book

Written by Stephanie Seidler, Illustrated by Anastasia Sikilinda

Journey around the world to explore different types of homes and habitats!

From a floating house on the water to a treehouse built high in the branches, each page showcases a new and unique dwelling, celebrating the diversity of habitats and the creativity of those who build them.

In the end, A Home Can Be. . . reminds readers that home is not just a physical structure, but a feeling of safety and belonging. As long as you’re with the ones you love, you can feel at home anywhere. A heartwarming and inspiring read for children of all ages!

A Home Can Be… is featured from January-March 2026.

Questions?

Contact Us

Meghan

Meredith

Program Manager

847.579.4183 [email protected]

Mark

Bryant

Naturalist Teacher

847.579.4184 [email protected]

Phelicia

Jozwiak

Nature Program Coordinator-Teacher

847.579.4182 [email protected]

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