A greenway in western North Carolina has garnered special distinction for accessibility and therapeutic benefits. The Jackson County Greenway, a short, paved path that winds along the Tuckasegee River in Sylva, N.C., has been named the first All Accessible Certified Forest Therapy Trail in the United States, according to a release from county officials.
Certified Forest Therapy Trails are specifically designed to encourage “Forest Bathing,” a wellness practice of intentionally slow-paced immersion in nature with roots in Japan, where it is known as Shinrin-yoku.
Jackson County now has two certified therapy trails, which are recognized by the Association of Nature & Forest Therapy. The county’s first is located at the lower loop section of Pinnacle Park.
The Jackson County Greenway is gently graded to provide access for those with a wide range of mobility needs, and it features self-guided brochures at two trailheads to teach users about the natural habitats around the riverside path.
“As an all-accessible paved trail, the Greenway provides a self-guided forest bathing experience for a wide range of ages and mobility needs,” stated Debby Singleton, vice chair of Friends of Jackson County Greenways and a certified nature and forest therapy guide. “The paved trail travels adjacent to the Tuckasegee River, through a rich riparian and deciduous forest ecosystem. An abundance of wildflowers, ferns, trees, songbirds, wading birds, spring greens, fall colors, winter views, and the soothing sound of moving water provide a relaxing setting for a self-guided forest bathing experience.”A celebration of the trail’s designation will take place on Saturday, December 6 at 1pm at the Locust Creek Trailhead of the Jackson County Greenway. Find more information here.
