From hiking the longest trail, Sawmill Loop, to creating gardens on Main Street, people interact with nature in various ways in Harrisonburg. Outdoor activities are found all around, and can have positive effects on a person’s mental health.
“I definitely find that if I’ve spent time outside, I feel better just getting vitamin D from the sun or just walking barefoot in the grass,” Betsy Ferris, a farmers market vendor, said. “It’s always a good thing. I like to encourage my kids to spend as much time outside as they can. The fresh air is great so all of those things are beneficial.”
Harrisonburg is in the heart of Rockingham County, with access to the Shenandoah National Park and George Washington National Forest. The 74 acre Hillandale Park also located in Harrisonburg gives access to trails, playgrounds, volleyball and basketball courts and picnic shelters while being wheelchair accessible.
“All kinds of different opportunities, whether it’s all the parks that we have, hiking opportunities and the different bike tracks like at Hillandale,” said Vince Mier, district manager at Walkabout Outfitters. “We have the land set aside and the ability to go do it if we have the interest and resources.”
The Harrisonburg area also has no shortage of trails for cyclists. The town has upheld the distinction of being a Bronze Level Ride Center from the International Mountain Biking Association since 2012, having 131 mountain biking trails. Along with this, the League of American Bicyclists named Harrisonburg a “Bike Friendly Community” and Blue Ridge Outdoors included it in its list of the “10 Best Blue Ridge Bike Towns.”
“We are surrounded by amazing outdoor opportunities from mountain biking to road cycling,” Rich Gibson, an employee at Walkabout Outfitters, said.
Biking isn’t the only form of cardio available, locals also take up running. Gibson takes the opportunity to run and get a workout all around town before heading to work at Walkabout. This is the outdoor supplies store located downtown.
“This morning, I got out and ran for an hour and I’ve made the playgrounds my gym,” Gibson said. “I do everything outside because it just helps the mind as well as the body, and the outdoors has become my gym.”
Spending time outside proves beneficial for both young and old. Playgrounds, which are located in all 12 main parks in Harrisonburg City, can be outlets for children to release energy and get an opportunity to be outdoors.
“When I was little we lived across the street from a park, we could go across the street and play and I just remember the freedom,” Rebecca Rogers, a local mother and teacher, said. “My kids are 50 times better behaved when we can get outside. If we can get outside, we’re doing it.”
Being outdoors doesn’t have to be physically demanding, reading a book, being in a green area, going to a farmer’s market or painting a picture can also benefit one’s health. According to a 2019 study in Scientific Reports, just living in greener urban areas is associated with the decrease of risk for cardiovascular disease, obesity, diabetes, asthma hospitalization, mental disorders, and ultimately mortality, among adults. It also states this lowers the risks of obesity and myopia in children.
“One thing I love to do is to paint and do art that will be in nature,” Theresa Kubasak, a retired teacher and author, said. “I think doing art that’s in nature evokes a sense of community because we can’t just be individuals. We need to be in relationship with everyone.
Being in nature kind of helps mentally too … not just physical, but people’s mental well-being. The bridge to wellness is breathing clean air, touching dirt, touching soil … And it’s harmony with nature that will bring us that health.”
