LOWELLVILLE — Some figures are keeping people company along the Stavich Bike Trail.

A joint effort among the Lowellville Local School District, Public Library of Youngstown and Mahoning County and Lowellville Schools PTO resulted in a Storybook Walk — and a Halloween experience for students.

“We were looking for something to do for the kids because they’re virtually learning right now” and won’t get their Halloween parties and parade, said Melissa Miner, PTO officer.

She was inspired when she saw a similar event organized at Boardman Park.

Scarecrows, 25 in all, are in tune with the book assigned to Lowellville by the library: “The Little Old Lady Who Was Not Afraid of Anything” by Linda Williams.

Miner explained that the book is about an old lady who isn’t scared of a scarecrow.

Scarecrows line the bike trail by the football field. Local businesses and school district staff participated in dressing up different ones, including high school Avengers characters.

The team of eight students act as mentors throughout the year, and their true identities remain a mystery to the younger students, said Robbin Carlo, a teacher overseeing the group. Each “superhero” has a superpower, and their scarecrows reflect their strength.

Originally the Story Walk, or as the public library calls it Story Trail, began in Vermont.

The paths “provide the library a way to continue to support early literacy skills development in our community,” explained Erin Phemester, director of programming and youth services for the Public Library of Youngstown and Mahoning County.

Story trails are popping up around Mahoning County, she added.

The decision to choose “The Little Old Lady Who Was Not Afraid of Anything” was made because the picture book takes place in the autumn.

Explaining how the book and community project coincide, Pam Brockway, library early learning team leader, said “families can walk from sign to sign to read and talk about the picture book.”

Each sign, posted along the path, features an activity or question to further engage readers with the story, she said.

Younger students will vote using Google Classrooms on their favorite scarecrow as they wrap up remote learning this week.

Volunteers from the PTO have taken photos to create a slideshow, said Principal Tracie Parry.

Scarecrows will be on display in the coming days as teachers will take their students outside for fresh air once school is back in a traditional setting on Nov. 2, Miner said.