Oak View County Park to launch StoryWalk in April to celebrate autism awareness month

Historic Oak View County Park will mark Autism Awareness and Acceptance Month in April with a StoryWalk featuring a picture book about Dr. Temple Grandin and a social narrative designed to help kids on the autism spectrum enjoy the experience.

StoryWalks, which have grown in popularity during COVID, feature the laminated pages of picture books placed along a short trail or nature walk. Kids can read along as they explore nature and get outside. Oak View has been hosting them monthly for much of the last year.

In April, the park will feature "The Girl Who Thought in Pictures: The Story of Dr. Temple Grandon" by Julia Finely Mosca. Grandin, who was diagnosed with autism as a young child is an expert in animal health and an advocate for autism inclusion. As part of April's StoryWalk, park staff also have developed resources that are designed to help caregivers and families of children with autism during their visit.

They include an Oak View social narrative, which you can download and print out before going to the park. There's also a visual schedule for the park, which is a visual checklist with location and communication cards that will help families design and prepare for the visit.

And, of course, a special treat for any Oak View trip is a visit with its goats and chickens. They are on view from 9 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., Monday through Saturday, and 1:30 p.m. to 4:30 p.m., Sunday, weather permitting.

Oak View is at 4028 Carya Drive in southeast Wake County. Check our Q&A with the park's manager a few weeks ago.