Forest of Hope & Healing

Lloyd Lewis and Dr. Gord Edwards presented a 10 year plan to GBRC (Bright Shores - Owen Sound) to enhance the grounds surrounding the hospital by planting trees and creating gardens. 
 

These initiatives would create a more natural and welcoming environment for patients, their families and hospital employees as well as creating habitat for insects, birds and other wild life.
 

In the Spring of 2018 more than 2700 trees were planted by a volunteer group helped by the guidance of tree experts. That spring and summer was very hot and dry. Despite the valiant efforts of volunteers to water frequently about 40% of the new seedlings didn’t survive. The following Spring 1000 more trees were planted to replace the lost ones. Throughout the summer and fall they were mulched, watered and vulnerable trunks were wrapped.

 

During the covid years a dedicated group of NWN volunteers sectioned off areas of the forest and they worked on maintaining the care of their areas.
 

The next phase was to create a path of healing through the forest area and this is currently an ongoing project. The Healing Path has been completed and has a crushed limestone section that is wheelchair accessible. Signs have been placed at both ends of this section and the ongoing project currently is to plant more trees along this path as well as install benches and plant vegetation on the berms to create pods along the path. The goal of the pods is to create areas of interest with interpretive signage installed. Two benches that were donated have been installed in the pod areas as well as a historical feature - HUFF DUFF at one of the pods. 
 

The 10 Year plan is well underway and NWN - with help of donations and volunteers; will continue working to meet the goals set out in 2018.