Stark Parks Mindfulness Walk offers a mental-health breather for those who need it
By Caitlin McCully
The benefits of spending time outdoors have long been documented by writers and naturalists. Henry David Thoreau once said, “An early-morning walk is a blessing for the whole day,” and in the wise words of John Muir, “In every walk with nature one receives far more than he seeks.” While those in the mental-health field stress the importance of taking a break from sitting too long, increasing activity, acquiring a number of steps in a day, and taking timeouts from projects and tasks, still, anxiety, depression, and addiction are a reality for many in this stressful, technology-filled world.
Although Stark County, Ohio, is home to dozens of parks, more than 120 miles of trails, and public-gathering places, no space had yet been dedicated to mental health and guided reflection. Partnering with the Stark Mental Health and Addiction Recovery agency (Stark MHAR), Stark Parks set out to create a space at Petros Lake Park designated for meditation and self-care. From here, the concept of the Mindfulness Walk originated.