Different paintings complement each sign along the new Born Learning Trail, each with an education activity. Staff photo by Tony Walters
Different paintings complement each sign along the new Born Learning Trail, each with an education activity. Staff photo by Tony Walters
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At 9:30 Friday morning, the gates will open to a path of learning in Huston Park.

The United Way of Cass County, the Logansport Parks Department, and Logansport-Cass County Chamber of Commerce and others will cut the ribbon for the Born Learning Trail.

The trail is a series of 10 signs and activities that correspond with those signs, designed for families to interact with to teach children from preschool through grade school.

“[It’s] to get families out doing things together at the same time,” said Chris Armstrong, Executive Director of United Way of Cass County. “This ties in well with our Reading Railroad Program that promotes early childhood literacy,” Armstrong said. “It all just goes hand-in-hand.”

The trail is a colorful path with painting on the sidewalk by Amy Werner and her Logansport High School art students.

Werner and her students have also recently painted the series of murals along the sides of the Cass County annex buildings on Sixth Street.

The 10 signs are in both English and Spanish, and each suggests a separate learning activity, such as hopscotch or observing the natural life in the area.

The project began in autumn of 2018 when the United Way was working on its Little Libraries program. Gina Dingo Curl approached the United Way about doing something to honor her mom, Kathy Dingo.

“She wanted to do something in her mother’s memory and wanted to do something for kids,” Armstrong said.

Armstrong and Kailin Bauman had heard of the Born Learning Trails via the Little Libraries and thought it would be a good addition to the park.

Bauman originally helped get the trail going when she was with the United Way, and she and her husband, Bill, put up the signs.

It was a time consuming project, and getting all players together took longer than expected, Armstrong said.

United Way of Cass County and the Kathy Dingo Memorial Fund paid portions of the cost, and some was paid for through monetary donations and donated services.

“That’s how we were able to get signs up in English and Spanish, which is good for the community,” Armstrong said.

She estimated the total cost at $3,400. That includes the donations of paint and sign posts from McCord’s Do-It Best and paint touch up work by Steinberger Construction.

“We are very grateful to all who helped in any way,” Armstrong said.
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