Forest Bathing

Forest Therapy is an evidence-based practice that supports health and wellness through guided immersion in forests and other environments to promote the well-being of both people and the land. It is inspired by Shinrin-yoku, the Japanese practice of “Forest Bathing.” In Forest Bathing, people spend time in forested areas to enhance health, wellness, and happiness. If you are feeling more stressed, anxious, and depressed then you may find this practice helpful. Forest Therapy provides a pathway for people to remember how to immerse themselves in nature to rest from all that consumes them in their daily lives.

I've included additional details below . Looking forward to meeting you soon!

Kristine Weidner, ANFT Certified Forest Therapy Guide

What to Expect

Forest therapy walks are not hikes . This will be a gentle slow paced walk where you will be invited to connect with nature using your senses through a series of invitations. The entire walk is typically 2 to 3 hours in duration and often covers no more than a 1/2 -1 mile distance. At the end I will prepare a tea for us to share. I'd like invite you to leave behind your phone, music, camera, and other distractions, and come into the present moment.

What to Bring

Dress a little warmer than the weather calls for and bring layers. Wear comfortable clothing and footwear for an easy trail walk. For your comfort you may wish to bring insect repellent, sunscreen, water. If you’d like you may also bring a camp chair that’s easy to carry or a sit upon /yoga mat for the ground.

Parking and Vehicle Access

Lake Wintergreen, 40 Main St., Hamden: A central access location for most park users is the gravel parking lot near Lake Wintergreen at 40 Main St., Hamden.

Driving Directions from Route 15:

• Directions: From Rt. 15, take Exit 60, and turn right to head south on Rt. 10 (Dixwell Avenue) for 0.3 miles. At the next traffic light past the parkway, turn right on Benham Street and take this to the end (2 miles). Then turn left on Main Street and head south for 0.9 miles. At the turn in the road, turn right into the parking area. This parking lot holds about 40 cars, but often fills up on a good weather weekend.

• Alternatively, those driving on Route 15 North, may wish to take Exit 59, especially if there is a traffic backup leading to the tunnel. While using Exit 60 is a longer drive, the drive from Exit 60 is more pleasant because there are far fewer traffic lights involved.

• From Exit 59, head south on Rt. 69 to the merge with Rt. 63 South and continue to Blake Street (1.1 miles). Turn left on Blake Street, then left at the traffic light onto Springside Avenue. At the stop sign past the New Haven Job Corps, turn left on Wintergreen Avenue. Go past the main entrance and the overpass for Route 15, go around the sharp bend, and up the hill to Main Street, just past Wintergreen School. Turn left on Main Street (Look for a small wooden "Lake Wintergreen" sign on the telephone pole). At the bottom of the hill, head straight into the parking lot. (Do this carefully because this is a blind curve and cars coming from the other direction can easily surprise you.)

If the parking is full, street parking is available nearby on Valerie Court, off Main Street near Wintergreen Avenue. During non-school hours, park at the Wintergreen Elementary School, 670 Wintergreen Ave., Hamden, just south of Main Street.

Valerie Court is a 0.1-mile walk to Lake Wintergreen, while the school is a 0.25-mile walk. While there is no sidewalk, the shoulder is flat for walking. The school building is home to two Hamden Public Schools programs: the Alice Peck Learning Center (an early childhood program) and the Hamden Collaborative Learning Center (an alternative high school).

These are safer than trying to park along the shoulder of Main Street. There is no risk of being clipped by a passing vehicle trying to squeeze past. For the people exiting the cars, they are not standing in the brush on the passenger side, or in the travel lane on the driver’s side.

The school is an especially good option for bicyclists, since it is such a short ride to the Lake Wintergreen parking lot.

Host or Publisher Kristine Weidner