A public ribbon-cutting ceremony will be held Saturday noon for the new Born Learning Trail installed Thursday evening at Irvine Park in Chippewa Falls by United Way’s Emerging Leaders Society.
The leadership group used funds raised during its Dueling Pianos event to purchase the trail kit through United Way Worldwide. The ribbon cutting will be part of United Way’s annual Block Party, which will be held on Saturday from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. at Irvine Park.
Nearly 40 exhibitors – including the Chippewa Valley Post – are expected at the Saturday event, along with entertainers and costumed characters from children’s literature, provided by the Eau Claire Children’s Theater. Live entertainment will be presented four times, starting at 11:15 a.m. There will also be an “imagination playground” provided by the Children’s Museum of Eau Claire.
Born Learning Trails are outdoor activity paths for parents and caregivers to walk through with their preschoolers to encourage them to talk, listen, read, think, imagine and create. They consist of nine activity stations designed to help support early childhood development through research-based activities that promote early learning. These trails support the primary objectives of United Way’s Successful Children’s Network, a collaboration of programs working to ensure that all children enter school ready to succeed.
The trail was approved by the Chippewa Falls Parks and Recreation board in July. Dick Hebert, Chippewa Falls Parks and Recreation Director, said the new trail ” will be a popular and exciting new addition to Irvine Park. It will be a perfect fit next to the new playground equipment.”
The trail project “is part of United Way Emerging Leaders’ initiative to help keep kids active and engaged through the power of play,” according to Jamie Kane, chair of the Emerging Leaders Society and event coordinator for Scheels.
“The Born Learning Trail will be a wonderful addition to Irvine Park and we are honored to facilitate this initiative here in Chippewa Falls,” she said. “We look forward to seeing all the kids and their grown-ups enjoy it.”