GREENFIELD — People of all ages can simultaneously enjoy Greenfield’s parks and poetry as part of the Greenfield Public Library’s Summer Poetry Walk.
Ten animal-themed poems are now on display at 10 different locations through Aug. 22, following the summer reading theme of “Tails and Tales.”
Pamela McBride of the Greenfield Public Library explained the poetry walk was inspired in part by Poet’s Seat Tower (where one of the 10 poems is located), the community of local poets and the annual Poet’s Seat Poetry Contest that is sponsored by the Friends of the Greenfield Public Library. There are even a couple of local poets whose work is included as part of the poetry walk lineup.
McBride said the library previously held two poetry walks in downtown Greenfield a couple of years ago, before the COVID-19 pandemic. Since the pandemic, story and poetry walks have appeared across Franklin County as fun ways to encourage children and their families to get outside, and to read.
“It’s a way to get people to come downtown, and another reason to get outside,” McBride said. “And it’s a reason for people to see what great parks we have in Greenfield.”
Poems can be found at:
■Paws Park/Green River Park at 22 Petty Plain Road
■Energy Park at 50 Miles St.
■Hillside Park at 42 Grove St.
■Green River Swimming and Recreation Area at 31 Nash’s Mill Road
■Shattuck Park on Federal Street next to Adams Donuts
■Poet’s Seat Tower at 70 Mountain Road
■Beacon Field on Sanderson Street by the playground
■Highland Park off Highland Avenue
■Greenfield Common at the intersection of Main Street and Bank Row
■Greenfield Public Library at 402 Main St.
At each location, readers will find an animal-themed poem. Visitors are invited to pause to think about the subject matter and how it fits into its surroundings. With a sketchbook or journal, those who feel inspired can also illustrate or write down their reflections on the poem.
The library’s summer reading mascot, Blueberry the stuffed triceratops, will be visiting the parks to read the poems throughout the summer, a Greenfield Public Library press release states. Patrons can follow Blueberry’s whereabouts on social media.
To download the Summer Poetry Walk map, visit greenfieldpubliclibrary.org. Print copies of the map are also available at the library.
Zack DeLuca can be reached at zdeluca@recorder.com or 413-930-4579.
Greenfield Library Poetry Walk by Zachary DeLuca on Scribd