BOOKS-N-PARKS PAINTS NEW HAVEN YELLOW: NEW HAVEN PARKS ABOUND WITH FREE BOOKS AND YELLOW BOXES!

(10/2/2008) NEW HAVEN- This week, Books-n-Parks will begin to distribute free books to parks across the city. The books, supplied by New Haven Reads, will be dispensed in large yellow weatherproof boxes and refilled by volunteers when empty.

The launch of this program, led by the Board of Park Commissioners, the Department of Parks, Recreation & Trees, and the New Haven Free Public Library, marks an ongoing citywide effort to increase literacy and to provide free reading material to residents. Books-n-Parks originated with Commissioner David Belowsky’s notion that parents and caregivers should have something to read while accompanying their children to the city’s parks and playgrounds. He and his colleagues further posited that readily available books would encourage people to read more and to spend more time in our parks. Parks Director, Bob Levine, and City Librarian, Jim Welbourne, collaborated on the program and initiated its growth.

Books-n-Parks’ first distribution of books will grace ten parks in diverse neighborhoods throughout New Haven. If your park does not receive a box during this first season and has a dedicated group of people ready to fill a box, please email the project at booksnparks@gmail.com.

For more information please visit http://cityofnewhaven.com/parks/booksnparks.

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Contact Name: Jessica Mayorga

Contact Email: jmayorga@newhavenct.net

Contact Phone: 203-946-7660