Born Learning Outdoor Trail opens at Kiwanis Park

STUART – Learning happens everywhere a child goes, but parents, grandparents and caregivers may not always know how to support that learning.

That won’t be the case at Kiwanis Park, where over a dozen volunteers painted the park “read” to promote literacy.

Local artist Lynne Barletta of the Visionary Art’s School, and her students painted the beautiful sailfish that will welcome all that visit Kiwanis Park. United Way of Martin County, in partnership with the City of Stuart and local philanthropists Polly and Tom Campenni, created this addition to the already amazing Kiwanis Park to enhance the outdoor interactive learning opportunities to help parents and caregivers turn excursions into fun learning moments.

The Born Learning Trail is a fun, easy way for parents, grandparents and caregivers to use outings to build learning critical for school readiness. A series of signs offering educational games (approved by experts) guide adults on specific ways to create learning games outdoors and suggest tips to use at home.

“This Born Learning Trail has significant meaning for myself and my wife Polly,” said Thomas Campenni, local longtime resident, philanthropist and volunteer. “Children are our future and we know that what happens in a child’s early years matters for success in life and for school readiness.”

According to the most recent data, only 51% of Martin County students are reading on level by third grade, lower than the state average of 53%. Additionally, only 57% of Martin County children are considered ready for kindergarten. The Born Learning Trail is designed to help adults interact with children to boost language and literacy development.

Kiwanis Park joins the other installed Born Learning Trails in the City of Stuart at Flagler Park, Shepard Park and the Guy Davis Sports Complex, along with the Martin County New Monrovia Park.

For more information about the Born Learning Trails, visit www.UnitedWayMartin.org or www.Facebook.com/UnitedWayMartin.