The Board of the Cumberland County Guidance Center, which provides recovery-focused mental health services to the community, conceived of a serenity garden. In collaboration with CU Maurice River it evolved into a nature trail that is open to people who use the facility and their caregivers. The path includes bird feeding stations, active bluebird boxes, and a water element. The Guidance Center staff and board, Boy Scouts, and CU volunteers have planted about 100 native trees on the site.
The dedication of the trail, which is about a mile in length and encircles the campus, took place in the fall of 2016. Clients, residents, and caretakers make daily use of this resource. The positive connection between mental health and time in the outdoors has been empirically proven (read NY Times summary). We plan to have other projects that will enhance the trail experience. If you are interested in helping out please call the office at 856-300-5331.
