Work is to begin on phase 1 of the Healing Path after the locates are completed.  As of late September we are still waiting for the locates so that  the excavation for the first section of the Healing Path can begin. We're still hoping to begin before the weather gets bad.  Phase 1 starts at the west entrance of 16th Avenue East and heads south to the intersection at 8th Street East, then east to the first entrance on 8th Street East.  Some describe this as the helicopter pad portion.

     The Healing Path is a 3 season (spring, summer, fall) trail system that will cater to hospital employees, patients and visitors who would like a gentle walk in a park setting.  The Owen Sound  Hospital sees over 100,000 patient visits per year from across the Grey Bruce region, and employs approximately 1100 staff and physicians.

     The goal is to create a path that can be accessible for all,  including those with mobility challenges.  So unlike the more informal mulch trails in the forest area, the Healing Path will have a firm and stable top layer of stone dust.  The trail will be 1.7 metres (5' 6") wide.

    This first phase will have four resting areas which are called pods. Each pod has a theme. Two themes have been selected to date. The Native Plant described below.  The other theme selected is one incorporating the military heritage of the area.   NeighbourWoods North welcomes other ideas of local interest for pods.

     Grey County with NeighbourWoods North is launching the first phase of naturalizing the property of the Administration building.  The community is invited to join in a morning of tree planting, celebrating trees & local climate action, and learning about a right relationship with the land.   The first year of the plan for the Administration property includes the planting of approximately 20 trees, two pollinator gardens, and exploring a future rain garden. Council approved the plan at a meeting earlier this year. 

     The event will take place October 15th from 9:30 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. at the Grey County head office located at 595 9th Avenue East in Owen Sound. Volunteers are invited to come out and support the planting of approximately 20 young trees while learning about Grey County’s Climate Change Action Plan, Going Green in Grey, and ways to stay involved locally. The event will open with an Indigenous teaching on the importance of stewardship and connection with the land, our local environment, and each other. Master Gardeners, who assisted in the design, will be present along with NeighbourWoods North and Owen Sound Field Naturalists. Light refreshments will be available for all who attend. Pre-registration is encouraged but not required through Grey-Tree-Planting.eventbrite.ca (link is external).  Parking is available  behind the County building at the east end of 6th Street.  

     “Nature-based solutions are key to Grey County’s Climate Change Action Plan, Going Green in Grey,” said Grey County Warden Selwyn ‘Buck’ Hicks. “The re-naturalization of this property is a small but symbolic step forward in Grey County’s commitment to climate action and meeting our greenhouse gas net-zero community target by 2050. If you’re passionate about climate action, I encourage you and your family to join us on October 15.”

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WORK TO BEGIN ON HEALING PATH

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