Generally, when someone says it’s “a walk in the park” they mean it’s an easy, effortless activity but today’s blog post is literally about a walk in the park. It wasn’t effortless but it was an easy hike through one of my all-time favorites―Oakfield Provincial Park in Nova Scotia.
Shown below is a map of the park, from the GAIA GPS website, showing the walking trail.
The main walking trail passes through a wooded area with mature trees and lush greenery.
The trails are a well-maintained combination of gravel and packed earth.
One of my favorite things about Oakfield Park is the peaceful solitude. There aren’t many visitors, especially on a weekday morning, and those you do encounter are friendly and respectful of others. It’s usually quiet enough to hear the gentle chirping of the songbirds, the occasional cawing of the crows and, yes, sometimes the annoying buzz of mosquitos and other insects.
It’s a popular spot for local dog owners to walk their dogs. Typically, they are mindful of others and careful to keep their dogs on a leash as per the posted rules.
In some areas, the path is covered in a coppery-brown carpet of pine needles.
You’ll want to stay on your toes, however, because some low-lying areas do get a little soggy and muddy in wet weather. But for the most part, the trail is dry and easy to navigate.
You’re bound to notice downed trees in this park. Toppled trees and fallen branches are removed from the paths and then allowed to decay naturally in the woods.
Eventually, beautiful, rich moss covers the old stumps. It’s a welcome change from the overly-manicured lawns and yards to which we’ve become accustomed.
As I walk, I’m reminded of forest bathing which encourages you to “let nature into your body through all five senses” as explained by author Florence Williams in her book, The Nature Fix: Why Nature Makes Us Happier, Healthier and More Creative. See my previous blog post Shinrin-yoku, Forest Therapy or Deliberate Dawdling? for more info on this fascinating topic.
There is wonder in the little things―the small vignettes you spot along the way―as well as the big picture scenes and vistas. Whether it’s a leafy green Wood Fern (Genus Dryopteris) showcased against a piece of white birchbark or…
… the bright red berries of the Canadian Bunchberry (Cornus canadensis) caught in the morning sunlight or…
… a Garden White butterfly (maybe a Genus Pieris) highlighted by a sunbeam on a yellow Wall Hawkweed (Hieracium murorum) bloom or …
… a pair of bright orange Brittlegills (Genus Russula) mushrooms popping up from the forest floor or …
… a deceptively cute Eastern Chipmunk (Tamias striatus) scurrying across the path or …
… a fallen black crow feather gently resting on a rough rock.
While the majority of the walking trail takes you through the woods, there is a section which follows the shore of Shubenacadie Grand Lake. The mood of the trail changes along this stretch as do the sights and sounds.
If you’re lucky, you may spot waterfowl like this duck and ducklings.
Picnic tables are sprinkled around the park including this one tucked away by the water’s edge.
Arguably, the most photographed spot in the park is this small island at the northeast tip of the park.
There’s a public boat launch and dock nearby which provides access to Shubenacadie Grand Lake.
Another popular amenity is the main field. The sizable, grass-covered area is perfect for picnics and outdoor activities. It is a popular choice for company picnics, group/club gatherings and family get-togethers. It’s not unusual to see an event tent erected in the field.
There’s a small sand beach at the bottom of the field where people can enjoy freshwater swimming. Limited lifeguard supervision is provided by Halifax Parks & Recreation.
The old field stone fence pictured below is a hidden gem worth seeking out. The fence is hidden in the woods just to the left of the main entrance road as you drive into the park.
Similar field stones hold the plaque on a memorial beside the main parking area. The plaque informs us it is Mrs. Violet M Laurie we should thank for this terrific natural resource. It reads: “Oakfield Park Land for this park was given to the province of Nova Scotia by Mrs. Violet M. Laurie in memory of her beloved husband Lt. Col. Kendrick C. Laurie 1818 – 1967 to be developed as a park for the use and benefit of the public January 15, 1970”. I think it’s important, especially in this context, to acknowledge that Oakfield Park is in Mi’kma’ki, the ancestral and unceded territory of the Mi’kmaq People.
More Info
Previous blog posts mentioned in today’s blog post include:
. Shinrin-yoku, Forest Therapy or Deliberate Dawdling?
By happy coincidence this blog post aligns with Canada’s Parks Day which, according to the Nova Scotia Parks website, is an annual event when “Parks host activities where families can have fun and learn new things about the benefits of parks and historical sites, the value of ecosystems, and protecting habitat”. Canada’s Parks Day was celebrated on July 20 in 2024.
The following resources were consulted in writing this blog post:
. Nova Scotia Parks website including the sections on Oakfield Provincial Park and Canada’s Parks Day
. GAIA GPS website from the Outside Network which provides “Trail Maps for Every Adventure”
.The Nature Fix: Why Nature Makes Us Happier, Healthier and More Creative book by Florence William.
Today’s Takeaways
1. Consider taking a walk in your local park.
2. “Let nature into your body through all five senses.” Florence Williams
3. Enjoy the big picture as well as the small vignettes along the way.
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