The McCreary County Public Library and the McCreary County Park today officially cut the ribbon on the new Readers to Leaders Story Book Trail at McCreary County Park in Whitley City, Ky. The trail consists of 18 book stands that allow families to read and engage with a story while walking the park’s paved path.
The stories featured on the Readers to Leaders Story Book Trail come from the Dolly Parton Imagination Library Collection and a selection of children’s books by local authors. Using books from the Dolly Parton Imagination Library helps introduce the program to families and ensures that all McCreary County children from birth to age 5 can be registered for the program at no cost to families.
Our Youth and Adult Program Coordinator, Holly Daugherty, spearheaded this project—a dream she has had for years. In early 2025, Mrs. Holly took to Facebook with a plea to raise $10,000 from local businesses and organizations to make this dream a reality for the children of McCreary County. Within two weeks of that post, the money was raised through the support of 48 local businesses, organizations, and individuals. We officially signed the contract on February 7 with the Readers to Leaders Board.
This new addition to McCreary County Park is for everyone—enjoy it, and share the love of reading with your kids and families. Keep watching, as the books will change every three months.
This dream would not have happened without strong local support. Lumber King donated all the supplies for the book stands, and the Pine Knot Job Corps Civilian Conservation Center Construction Department built and installed them.
We would like to personally thank the following businesses, organizations, and individuals who made this project a success for the kids and families of McCreary County:
- Lumber King
- Pine Knot Job Corps Civilian Conservation Center
- United Cumberland Bank
- McCreary County Park Board
- William & Kathy Taylor
- McCreary County Development Association
- McCreary County Farm Bureau
- Highland Telephone Corporation
- Olive Branch Ministries
- Ford Brothers Inc.
- Sharon Leonardo
- Roark Pharmacy
- South Kentucky RECC
- Crabtree Wilson/Energy Insurance
- Mindy and Sam Strunk
- Cumberland Family Medical
- Hope Primary and Urgent Care
- Mrs. Holly at MCPL
- In Memory of Mittie Broach
- Danny and Crystal Troxell
- Troxell Restoration
- McCreary County Chamber of Commerce
- Tony’s Knives and Collectibles
- JC Perry Logging
- Chris Cox
- JD’s Tire and Auto
- The Meadows Family
- Nicole Bryant
- Rita Strunk
- Chrissie Boyatt
- Paula Dixon
- Kinlee Musgrove
- Rachel Jones & Family
- Florence King
- Bethany Baird
- Glenda Wilson
- Kim King
- Kay Morrow
- Associates in Eyecare
- Dandelion Scribes
- McCreary Journal
- Ginny Stephens
- Ricki Godsey – In Memory of Leamon Godsey
- The Shoopman Family
- Pine Knot Funeral Home
- Bradley’s Gourmet Coffee and More
- Olivia Troxell
- Jimmie Bevo Greene