East Burke student brings Storybook Trail to Hildebran Park

When Aubrey Sanders, a junior at East Burke High School, saw an opportunity to work with Beth Heile and the Burke River Trail to bring a Storybook Trail to the new park located in the Town of Hildebran, she was excited to support the project.

The Storybook Trail consists of 16 pedestals placed around Royal Park’s quarter-mile trail located at 202 S. Center St., Hildebran. Each pedestal holds two pages of a children’s book. Families can walk the trail while reading the book to help connect families, promote literacy, and provide light exercise opportunities.

The trail is placed on the sidewalk and is ADA accessible.

Aubrey first approached the Town of Hildebran Council explaining the project and asked for Council’s approval. The total anticipated cost was $5,000, with Burke River Trail donating $2,000. Aubrey stated that she would fundraise so there would be no initial cost to the Town. The Town Council approved the project and fundraising began. She sent emails to businesses in Town and visited places to ask for donations. She was able to raise $5,600 in just 10 days. The East Burke Kiwanis greatly helped by donating $1,250. Other donations ranged from $10 to $500. The remaining funds will pay for books.

She worked with Burke River Trail Executive Director Beth Heile who created and shared social media posts within her network and the Burke River Trail’s network as this project, and the Town of Hildebran, are a part of the eastern terminus of the Trial.

Five members from the Town of Hildebran, three from Burke River Trail, and two members of the East Burke Kiwanis came out on in the heat and got all 16 pedestals installed.

“One of the most rewarding parts of this project has been watching Aubrey step up and lead,” Heile said. “She worked hard, brought people together, and helped turn an idea into something that families in Hildebran will enjoy for years to come.”

Hildebran Town Manager Logan Shook said, “Aubrey did an incredible job, start to finish. She successfully pitched the idea to Town Council, worked to secure sponsorships, and put in the sweat equity needed to assemble and install the storybook pedestals. Because of her hard work, kids and adults alike are now able to read together and learn together.”

The project was awarded the Visionary Award through the Burke County Chamber of Commerce B.I.G. Award Ceremony and was recognized at the Burke County Commissioners meeting.

The Town of Hildebran will officially debut the pedestals at the Saturday, May 23, Cruise In and America250 celebration.

Donate to the project to purchase future books at burkerivertrail.net/storybook-trails/. Choose the Town of Hildebran Storybook Trail from the drop down arrow or call Hildebran Town Hall at 828-397-5801. All donations are tax deductible.