The trail at Eden Gardens helps residents recharge their batteries and enjoy beautiful days. (Spencer Sterritt/NanaimoNewsNOW)

By Spencer Sterritt

in nature

VIDEO: Nature trail at Eden Gardens rejuvenating seniors

Oct 11, 2020 | 7:36 AM

NANAIMO — A new trail through the wilderness beside a Nanaimo seniors home is providing a needed return to nature for residents.

The small trail, featuring benches and signposts pointing to residents’ homes, was created earlier this summer at Eden Gardens.

Denese Ferris is out there nearly every day and always visits when joined by a companion.

“It’s absolutely so beautiful, it’s what I could have dreamed of in my own backyard,” she told NanaimoNewsNOW.

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Ferris said she loves seeing the small mementos left by other residents and their families, such as shells on the arms of benches and a gnome planted among the trees.

“Every time you take a step there’s a discovery, ‘Oh look at that shell, look at this, look at that.'”

The trail is currently crushed gravel, winding around several trees before leading back to the Eden Gardens facility.

It was created with the help of several Nanaimo communities to clear away roots, lay down the gravel and add decorations.

Bianca van der Stoel, the horticultural therapist who thought of the path, said the hope is now to pave the portion of the trail leading from Eden Gardens’ patio to the forest.

“We’re finding the trail within the forest will stay compact enough for wheelchairs, but anything in the direct sun is losing its structure and is a risk for both residents and staff.”

Given the community support already provided to build the path in the first place, van der Stoel said she’s confident a Nanaimo organization or community will help with the paving.

Even if the pathway entrance isn’t paved, van der Stoel said she’s still incredibly pleased to see the trail be so heavily used.

“This is easily the accomplishment I’m the most proud of in my career so far, even though I don’t have to do anything more because the forest does it for me.”

spencer@nanaimonewsnow.com

On Twitter: @SpencerSterritt