There's a new attraction to explore at MacGregor Point Provincial Park, one that researchers say could have mental health benefits.
MacGregor Point is now home to Ontario's Parks first ever forest therapy trail.
The park's Tower Trail now offers visitors the chance for a self-guided walk exploring a deeper connection with nature.
The project is the result of a collaboration with the Global Institute of Forest Therapy and Nature Connection (GIFT), and Healthy Parks, Healthy People, a movement to get Ontarians outdoors.
"A forest therapy trail is an exercise that focuses on the mental, emotional and physical health benefits of time in nature," said John Foster, Market Development Specialist with Healthy Parks Healthy People. "So it's a therapeutic practice and the point is to facilitate feelings of relaxation and sensory restoration through what's called a self-guided mediation. We've installed a series of signs that guide a trail the user through that forest therapy walk so it's all about deepening that connection with nature and providing some restorative health benefits through that."
Foster adds that the park near Port Elgin was a perfect choice for the first trail of this type.
"It's really known for high quality hiking and biking, and they have a great trail network already so the forest therapy trail really fits into that network," he says. "Then there's other things when designing a forest therapy trail itself, you're looking for a sort of higher quality environment that will provide those sensory elements that you're looking for in that meditative experience."
The cost of the trail was covered by generous donations.
Foster says if this is well-received, they'll look at providing the experience at other provincial parks.
GIFT is also conducting a research survey for trail users. You can find a link to that here.
