Into The Future

Project Labyrinth

Inspiration

The original concept of an urban forest to replace the old SA Water site was an excellent one and the original artist’s visions (see New Beginning page) spoke of a popular walking and cycling area, a place where not only could people gather for relaxation and reconnect with Nature but an area displaying many varieties of native plants from majestic Eucalypts to smaller trees and shrubs to grasses and flowers, many of these butterfly attracting.

In saying that, the area could well be an excellent example of conservation – butterflies, moths and other insects, possums, small reptiles and many birds.  In that sense, a lot of organisations involved with the education, protection and advocacy of wildlife and native plants could use this area as a teaching arena.

“Urban Forests are not a new concept.  Adelaide has had a number of greening programs which have contributed to the amenity of our city.  What is new is the concept of applying biodiversity planning to urban areas, and moving toward the goal of a sustainable ‘urban forest’ which conserves the region’s unique biodiversity – our natural heritage.

Although a series of wildlife reserves are already established in the Adelaide region, there remains a major challenge to extend these natural areas by including private land, creeklines, council reserves and other open space.  Street trees and garden plantings can also play a significant role.”

“. . . there are many opportunities to create natural areas using local species and practical steps that can be taken to encourage indigenous fauna to thrive.  The larger the available area, the greater the prospect of achieving a natural ecological balance, but even on a small scale populations of many species, including butterflies, small birds and reptiles can be established and conserved.  Local native plants are valuable in their own right and can be used in many settings to provide opportunities for a greater sense of contact with nature within the city and suburban environments.”

– from the article ‘SA Urban Forest Biodiversity Program: Conservation Opportunities and Dilemmas in Urban and Peri-urban Areas‘ by Ross Oke

Which brings us to children.  Outdoor lessons have been seen to improve attention and interest.  Add lessons on conservation, care of the environment, taking action and promoting young voices to speak up for, thanks to climate breakdown and ecocide, areas such as Narnungga as well as the more well known large parks and reserves outside the CBD.  Knowledge, understanding, care, compassion, empathy, respect, responsibility, courage, determination, focus, attention, the spirit of exploration and the wonder of discovery – just a few important values and lessons all children should have the opportunity to access.

What better way to accomplish this than with the help of Nature’s classroom?

“When children are given regular and meaningful opportunities to connect with the natural world – and they are supported by a passionate mentor – they learn, grow and thrive with nature by their sides and in their hearts.”

– Tania Moloney, Founder of Nurture in Nature.

A natural RE-WILDED site like this also offers much to the physical and mental health services. Activities such as Nature/Forest Therapy, gentle exercise for recovering patients, psychological and emotional benefits of a counselling session, Havening, EFT, or simply sitting quietly under a beautiful old lemon gum, tranquil activities such as meditation, Tai Chi, Falan Dafa and others conducted in Nature enrich the experience of relaxation and therapy.

“Forest bathing, also referred to as forest or nature therapy, has become popular in all corners of the developed world. The restorative nature of sitting in nature has been called soft fascination, whereby we are enraptured and uplifted by our surroundings. Forest bathing is an antidote to pinging distractions, impending deadlines, and never-ending obligations.” 

“From a study that appeared in the Environmental Health and Preventive Medicine Journal,  results showed that being in a forest environment, as opposed to an urban environment, lowered cortisol, pulse rate, and blood pressure. The forest also promoted greater parasympathetic nerve activity, and lower sympathetic nerve activity. As a result, their bodies became much more relaxed.”

– from the article ‘Forest Bathing‘, Psychology Today

As to the spiritual benefits, one can connect with Nature by simply sitting or strolling around the area and using the senses in a calm and peaceful manner; the sounds of birds, the smell of native pine and lemon gum, the soft touch of swaying grasses, watching insects and birds – gently observing, until a sense of connection occurs.  Mindfulness on the time one is in Nature not only benefits the physical body and mind but also to a spiritual connection that can be experienced by some as prayer, contemplation, observance or ceremony across cultures and creeds. 

“. . . a broader perspective is required when promoting urban forestry and engaging local multi-cultural communities. Spirituality needs to be integrated into urban forest policy.” 

“Urban forests are of great signicance because they provide cultural ecosystem services ranging from spiritual and religious values, to a sense of being part of the living environment. To many, forests serve as reminders that as humans, we aren’t opposed to nature, but rather intimately connected to it.”

– from an article by Joshua Amaitum Elukut.

And the more we connect with Nature, the more we feel the sense of care; we want to protect these things and the land. To be divorced from Nature, to be disconnected, results in a lack of empathy and an easy tendency to disregard the importance of Nature and these vital areas making them nothing more than ill-conceived commercial developments.

With all of this in mind, I am writing this journal to eventually comprise a record of my ideas around the preservation and maintenance of Narnungga Urban Forest.

“Nature expresses itself in a way we humans can not.

Nature can seem cruel or devastating, but never mindless or frivolous.

Nature wields colour, light and form no artist can ever quite capture.

Nature emanates a beauty of soul we will never be able to completely grasp.

We feel these things when they touch our hearts.”

– Sue Lang 

The Idea

In walking around the park, I noticed several areas that were becoming bare due to the pipeline work for the hospital build (trees not replaced) and trees dying (watering system pipes exposed and vandalised) as well as a general atmosphere of neglect.  But one particular feature has always bothered me – the great expanse of lawn in the middle of this urban “forest”.

What is this “urban forest”, with an oval (of sorts) and certainly not enough trees, to be called?  A facility without toilets and seating.  Or maybe just an area to be used for events – legal (with transportable toilets) and illegal (the park IS the toilet), many times causing disturbance to both local residents and wildlife.

Adelaide provides many good venues, both indoor and outdoor, that cater to a wide variety of events (sporting, music and festivals for example).  However, it would be of great benefit to those that also appreciate (and in some cases desperately need) space for tranquility, quiet contemplation, healing and stress relief to reserve some of our park lands for this opportunity, particularly as the new Women's and Children's Hospital will be situated right across the road with easy access from the Gaol Road crossing.

I believe Narnungga Urban Forest is in a unique location for just such an opportunity.

I thought something better could replace the lawn area, preferably with more trees, which would be in keeping with Adelaide's need for tree canopy, sustainable spaces and the fostering of biodiversity.  In running across some interesting websites and researching these and others, I had an abundance of ideas that would do well in the park’s setting.  These also took into consideration some of the uses / activities in which people might use the park – relaxation, physical, emotional and mental health, exercise, well-being, conservation, children’s activities (e.g.: Nature Play) and education (outdoor learning opportunities) and spiritual enrichment.

So how to gain the most benefit for the most people while improving the park to a healthier, easily maintained and cost effective way?

I had become a member of the Australian Labyrinth Network as I wanted to learn more about labyrinths and their benefits.  What I found was an excellent way to accomplish all of the above points.  Not only that but as this would need a design and be a permanent feature, I wondered if a labyrinth could be considered an art installation.  This would give the park extra protection under Federal law (I believe, however I’ll need to research this).

Using Google Earth, I looked at the most appropriate areas for a labyrinth, figuring if I couldn’t use the oval, I may still be permitted to add one to a smaller area.  This would still be a nice feature and would attract people to check it out and explore the rest of the park.