A Story That Moves With You
Somewhere along the path at Old Celina Park, a child stops walking and points at a laminated page mounted at eye level beside the trail. Her father leans in. They read a few lines together, then keep moving — the next page is waiting a little farther up.
That is the simple mechanic behind Celina Public Library’s Storybook Trail at Old Celina Park, 1270 FM 428, and it is one of the quieter additions to what has become a full summer of library programming across the city. There is no screen involved, no sign-up required at the trailhead. A story unfolds as you walk, panel by panel, turning a routine trip to the park into something a little more deliberate.
The trail is open and ongoing throughout summer 2026, free to anyone who shows up.
Part of a Larger Summer Push
The Storybook Trail does not exist in isolation. It is one piece of a summer reading and programming effort that the Celina Public Library, currently located at 142 N. Ohio St., has built out across multiple formats and locations.
The library’s Summer Reading Program, which began in early June, sets a target of 750 minutes of reading for three distinct age groups: children ages 6 through 12, young adults ages 13 through 19, and adults 19 and up. The identical minute goal across age groups is a deliberate signal — this is not strictly a children’s program, even if the Storybook Trail skews toward younger families.
For those who prefer structured programming indoors, the library is running a Friday series throughout June in the Council Chambers at 112 N. Colorado St. Those sessions include interactive storytimes, STEM activities, and creative workshops for children. The Council Chambers location gives the programming room to breathe while the library’s permanent home on Ohio Street continues its regular operations.
For adults who want something different from the solo reading challenge, the library hosts the “On the Same Page” book club twice monthly — on the first Tuesday at 10:00 AM and the first Thursday at 6:30 PM. The dual time slots are practical: a morning session for those with daytime availability, an evening session for those who work. Both meet at the library.
Why the Park Matters Here
Pointing programming toward Old Celina Park is a meaningful choice for Celina specifically. The park at FM 428 is already a gathering point for the community — it is the same site hosting the city’s Splash & Blast summer celebration later in June. Placing the Storybook Trail there puts literacy programming where families are already going, rather than asking them to make a separate trip.
That kind of integration — meeting residents where they already spend time — reflects a broader philosophy the library has been developing. Library Director Andrea Ortiz, whose tenure has centered on expanding community programs and ensuring equitable access to educational materials, has been clear that the library’s role extends beyond its four walls. The Storybook Trail is one practical expression of that.
Looking Ahead to a New Building
All of this is happening while Celina’s library infrastructure is mid-transformation. Construction is ongoing on the city’s $93.5 million Downtown Center, which will include a 26,209-square-foot library as one of its centerpieces. The new facility will feature a rooftop community space and a digital mural designed by blind artist John Bramblitt. The downtown center, which also includes city offices, a parking garage, and public space, is slated to open in the winter of 2026.
Ortiz will oversee the transition to that new building — a significant undertaking for any library director, let alone one who is simultaneously managing an active summer of programming at the current location.
For now, though, the work is quieter and more incremental: a trail at a park, a storytime on a Friday morning, a book club that meets twice a month.
Getting Out There
Storybook Trail
Old Celina Park, 1270 FM 428. Ongoing throughout summer 2026. No registration required.
Friday Storytime and Workshops
Council Chambers, 112 N. Colorado St. Fridays throughout June. Check with the library for specific session topics.
Summer Reading Program
Celina Public Library, 142 N. Ohio St. Open to ages 6 and up through summer. The 750-minute goal applies to all three age categories.
”On the Same Page” Book Club
Celina Public Library, 142 N. Ohio St. First Tuesday at 10:00 AM and first Thursday at 6:30 PM each month.
The Storybook Trail requires nothing more than a walk you were probably going to take anyway. That is a reasonable ask for a summer afternoon in Celina, and the library is counting on exactly that.