Jackson County’s Greenway becomes a Certified Forest Therapy Trail
This December, Jackson County will celebrate a milestone in community wellness and nature connection: the official opening of the Jackson County Greenway in Sylva, as an ANFT Certified Forest Therapy Trail. The event will include a short ceremony, expressions of gratitude to the land and community, and an invitation for participants to experience a self-guided forest therapy walk along the Greenway, followed by refreshments and photos.
A Trail with Heart and Purpose
For Michael Hopkins and Trevor Brown of the Jackson County Parks & Recreation Department, the Greenway has always been more than a path beside the river- it’s a living space where recreation meets restoration. “The Greenway was envisioned as a place for people of all ages to connect with nature and improve their wellbeing,” says Michael. “Certifying it as a Forest Therapy Trail perfectly aligns with that mission.”
Transforming the Familiar into the Extraordinary
“What surprised us most,” says Trevor, “was how a familiar space like the Greenway could take on a completely new identity when experienced through a Forest Therapy lens.” The project, led by Debby Singleton, brought a fresh perspective to this beloved community space.
Debby describes the process as “not about changing the landscape, but about changing the way we move through it.” The Greenway is an accessible, paved one-mile trail winding along the Tuckasegee River through a rich riparian forest. With thoughtful enhancements like two new covered shelters, resting benches, and a self-guided brochure of sensory invitations, the trail now invites visitors to slow down, notice, and breathe with the land.
A Sanctuary for All
“Many local trails are beautiful but not easily accessible to everyone. The Greenway offers a safe, level, year-round space where anyone - families, seniors, students, people with mobility needs - can experience the healing benefits of nature.” Debby explains.
Michael adds, “This trail supports our community’s mental and physical health. It’s a free, accessible space where people can reconnect with themselves and with nature.” From white-tailed deer to herons and kingfishers, from sycamores and river birches to wildflowers and butterflies, the Greenway hums with life - a perfect companion for those seeking stillness or wonder.
A Living Collaboration
This certification is a testament to collaboration among Jackson County Parks & Recreation, Friends of Jackson County Greenways, and the Association of Nature and Forest Therapy. Debby credits a spirit of teamwork: “Having a clear vision, open communication, and strong relationships with the land managers was key to success.”
The trail’s curation offers opportunities for deep sensory connection to the more-than-human world. Each element - water, wildlife, canopy, and sense scape, along with carefully crafted, relational invitations - works in harmony to create an environment where people can engage deeply with nature and feel restored.
Looking Ahead
As the Greenway expands another 1.6 miles toward Cullowhee in the near future, plans are already underway for seasonal forest therapy walks, nature journaling workshops, and art-in-nature sessions. Debby envisions interpretive signage and invitations to deepen community participation. “This trail isn’t static - it’s alive. It will keep evolving with the seasons and with the people who walk it.”
The Certified Forest Therapy Trail at the Jackson County Greenway stands as both a celebration of partnership and a commitment to community wellbeing - a model for how accessible public lands can nurture both ecological and human health.
Join the Celebration
Grand Opening of the Jackson County Greenway Certified Forest Therapy Trail Saturday, Dec. 6, 1–2 p.m. Jackson County Greenway, Locust Creek Trailhead, Sylva, NC.