Books and Benches

Celebrate art, nature and reading this summer! Gather at the Art Benches, listen to stories, participate in art & nature activities with National Park Service Rangers, and take home free gently used and new books!

Free and open to the public.

Summer 2026

Friday, June 12, 10:30a.m.

Freedom Park, Prescott, Wisconsin
(Rain location: inside at Freedom Park)
In partnership with Prescott Library

Monday, June 15, 1:30 p.m.

Lakefront Park, Hudson, Wisconsin
(Rain location:  Hudson Library)
In partnership with Hudson Library

Tuesday, June 16, 10:30 a.m.

With Osceola Library
Mill Pond Park, Osceola
(Rain location: inside library)
In partnership with Osceola Library

Wednesday, June 17, 10 a.m.

Carpenter Nature Center, Hudson, WI
(Rain location: CNC Visitor Center)
In partnership with CNC

Tuesday, June 23, 10 am

Larry Forrest Memorial Park, Somerset, WI
(Rain date: June 25, 10 a.m.)
In partnership with Somerset Library

Books & Benches is a project of the Somerset Elementary Family Book Drive in partnership with the Phipps Center for the Arts and local libraries to increase summer reading and promote community art in the St. Croix Valley. Special thanks to W.H.O. Books, with their mission to spread social awareness of diversity, equity, and acceptance, for donating new books to give away free. To learn more, go to whobooks.org. The Art Bench Trail is a program of the Phipps Center for the Arts, Hudson, WI, in partnership with the St. Croix Valley Foundation and the National Park Service.

Questions? Contact Erin at ehoff@somerset.wi.k12.us or Lee Ann at lpomplas@thephipps.org.