Milton Library Expanding its Building and Outdoor Story Garden

“We needed more space. We were outgrowing the space that we had before,” said Ashlee Kunkel, Library Director. “We wanted more space to have community gatherings, more programming, and all that fun stuff.”

The renovations have come a long way since they began in 2017, making the most visible progress in the last year. The majority of the renovations are complete, according to Kunkel, and people can use the updated space now.

The Story Gardens, an outdoor programming space where staff leads Storytimes and other activities, has received a number of new features.

There is a 20 ft x 20 ft gazebo being built, as well as a completed walkway around the perimeter that is 0.8 miles long and a Story Walk Station.

The Story Walk Station is an outdoor walking space that is equipped with the page of a picture book at each stop, to encourage reading and exercise.

Also featured are concrete chess and checkers tables, art pieces incorporated into the space, and raised garden beds.

“It’s just another way to interact with the library to learn [and] to have fun. You’re able to walk around and read a story [or] play chess,” Kunkel said. “It’s just an extension of all the fun things we have in the library that you can do outside.”

The library isn’t content to stop there, however. There are several more ideas floating around for future installments, such as a pet garden, a shaded seating area, additional raised garden beds, and more.

Staff is also working closely with the Rock County Chapter of the Ice Age Trail Alliance, according to their website, to reroute the trail to intersect with Story Gardens.