Discover the tale of a partnership between the community, volunteers, staff, and the Friends of Seven Bends State Park.

A seed is planted!

In September 2021, Lisa Currie visited Steamboat Springs, Colorado, where she and her family walked a child’s portion of Steamboat’s walking path. On the trail, Lisa and her family enjoyed reading a book that was in place for juvenile readers. As a writer, Lisa decided she could write the text about her favorite walking area - Seven Bends State Park. 

Story Kiosk at Seven Bends State Park
Lisa Currie (author), Susie Wilburn (Illustrator) holding Sadie, and Fabiana Borkowsky-French (Spanish Translator) holding Kiko

With no intention of an actual publication, the idea was to have the pages of illustrated text on display at the park, similar to informational displays.

It begins to take root!

Lisa brought the scheme home, and in October proposed the plan to local artist and walking buddy Susie Wilburn. Lisa imagined Susie could do the illustrations to support her text meant to promote reading and environmental protection of the park. Illustrations were inspired by Sadie, a toy poodle, they take on their walks where the women discuss and solve problems of the world.

It starts to bloom!

In a lightning bolt moment, Lisa decided that the Seven Bends State Park text would be about Sadie’s walk at the park in the spring. While brainstorming, the two creators decided the text would be in Spanish as well as English. Sadie was soon joined by Kiko, Fabiana Borkowsky French’s chihuahua. Fabiana, a native Spanish speaker, was more than willing to help by providing Kiko and translating.

In a close-knit community, word travels fast, and soon Gael Shaffer, a teacher of the blind and vision-impaired, offered to transcribe the text into Braille.

It’s nourished and tended!

Lisa then approached Assistant Park Manager Thomas Stevens with the idea. Over the winter, Lisa and Thomas met several times so she could run story ideas by him and ensure she was only using flora and fauna found at Seven Bends State Park. While she was writing the book, Park Ranger Wesley Drummonds designed and built the sign displays that would house the pages of the book along the trail.

It grows a little wild!

“It wasn’t long before word-of-mouth got out about this book and to our surprise - many people wanted copies,” said Lisa. “It was never the intention to sell copies or attempt to make money. However, plans change. By the time the pages were ready for installation at Seven Bends State Park, a Shutterfly book was in the final publication stages.”

The book's creators have graciously allowed the Friends of Seven Bends State Park to take orders for the book and fill them, having all proceeds donated to the Friends group. The project is beneficial on multiple levels; providing the public with an opportunity for outdoor education, assisting the park's community support organization, and in turn, supporting projects and environmental programming at the park.

“I am blown away! The amount of passion and generosity that went into this project by Lisa, Susie, Fabiana, Gael and many others is unrivaled,” said Assistant Park Manager Stevens. “Seven Bends State Park will continue to thrive and grow as long as we have supporters of their caliber. The creators were so passionate about the project that they wanted to know if they could create subsequent books. The answer to that is obvious.”

Virginia State Parks have always been very proud of their volunteers and the many hours they have devoted to their state parks. We are very fortunate to have extremely talented and committed people that are willing to share their expertise and "go above and beyond."

Assistant Park Manager Tom Stevens and Volunteer Don Hindman installing a kiosk

Not The End!

Lisa is excited to keep writing. She said, “because the first set of pages was so easy to accomplish, and since future state park scenarios are flowing like the waters of the Shenandoah River, several additional seasons, at least four future books of Sadie’s and Kiko’s visits to Seven Bends State Park are scheduled.”

The Tale Trail is open and ready for people to visit and read. It is currently set up on Eagles Edge Trail. See a Park Trail Guide (PDF) here to find it. When the next book is created, the kiosks will be moved to a different trail. Stay tuned for more adventures with Sadie and Kiko!

Buy your copy, consider volunteering, and come visit!

If you are interested in obtaining a copy of the book or for more information and pricing, please email the Friends of Seven Bends State Park at TaleTrail@fnfsr.org.

Information for joining the amazing Friends of Seven Bends State Park can be found here. Or contact the park office about volunteering at 540-622-6840 or sevenbends@dcr.virginia.gov.

Take this new Tale Trail as an excuse to visit Seven Bends State Park, located along the beautiful Shenandoah River near Historic Downtown Woodstock.