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Constance’s Story
Constance's
Story Trail
847.433.6901 | 2821 Ridge Rd

Heller Nature Center
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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.”

What Can You Do With a Rock?

Featured Book

From award-winning author Pat Zietlow Miller, a timeless story about creativity, exploration, and friendship

What can you do with a rock?

You can skip them.

You can sort them.

Best of all, you can share them.

Rocks are simple, but the things you can do with them are endless. Rocks can build, sparkle, and tell a story. They can be memories. They can even be a little bit magic. This ode to curiosity and creative play from New York Times bestselling author Pat Zietlow Miller and acclaimed illustrator Katie Kath is bound to inspire.

What Can You Do With a Rock? will be the featured book during July-September.

Questions?

Contact Us

Jessica
Reyes
Assistant Director of Recreation
847.579.4182
Meghan
Meredith
Naturalist
847.579.4183
Mark
Bryant
Naturalist
847.579.4184
Cara
Wren
Office Coordinator
847.579.4181
Chris
Maliszewski
Director of Recreation & Facilities
847.579.3108