This cache was placed with permission on the storybook trail by Park Manager Brad Halfacre.
Edgar Evins State Park is a state park in DeKalb County, Tennessee, in the southeastern United States. The park consists of 6,000 acres along the shores of Center Hill Lake, and impoundment of the Caney Fork. The State of Tennessee leases the land from the Army Corps of Engineers. The park consists of a 300-slip marina and full service dock. Lodging areas include a 34-cabin lodging complex and a campground with both modern and primitive campsites. There are also several hiking trails throughout the park.
The storybook trail is one of the newest trails in the park as it's grand opening was in 2018. The purpose of the storybook trail is to stimulate young readers as well as to encourage youngsters and caregivers to enjoy an outdoor experience together. It was built by volunteers and park staff as a project of the Friends of Edgar Evins State Park.
The storybook trail is a relatively short and easy quarter or so mile loop with blown-up pages from a children's book posted along the way. You have to keep walking to get to the end of the story.
Tennessee's first state park storybook trail opened at Long Hunter State Park on Percy Priest Lake. The trail was the brainchild of Ranger Leslie Anne Rawlings, who built on a concept called 'storywalks', that originated in Vermont a few years ago. There, the idea was to separate the pages from actual books and affix them along trails for kids to discover. Inspiring early appreciation for the outdoors and amplifying a child's desire to read for pleasure are ideally where the storybook trails ultimately lead, said Rawlings. She also hopes they will encourage more communication and cooperation between state parks and public libraries.
While looking for this cache, please stay on the trail until you reach the location, then the cache is just a few feet off the trail. Also, please be mindful of other hikers that may be on the trail. Parking is in front of the Interpretive Center (nature center), then the trail head is directly across the street. Feel free to go inside and check out the Interpretive Center after you walked the trail and found the cache.
Please no geocaching in the park between dusk and dawn :-)
Initial items in cache:
- First to Find coin
- travel bug
- toy fox
- toy walkie talkies
- playing cards
- park sticker
- small magnet trail marker
- halloween medal
- park ornament
- park post card
Congrats to speckledbee for FTF!!