`Silent Trails' designed to soothe strain of urban living
When Tara Brown lived in Shibuya City, one of Tokyo's densest neighbourhoods, the Vancouver-raised forest researcher found refuge from the loud, overcrowded, urban environment through the Japanese practice of shinrin yoku, or forest bathing.
“When I went to a park, the stress got a little better,” said Brown, whose PhD dissertation focuses on the healing practice. “It had such an impact on me, I trained and worked as a forest bathing guide.”
Now Brown wants to bring the restorative power of nature to users of Metro regional parks though a pilot project called Silent Trails.
The benefits of spending time in nature have been recognized by everyone from poets to philosophers and physicians.
Scientific research shows that spending time in a forest can measurably improve psychological well-being, reduce stress, anxiety, and depression, strengthen the immune system, and improve cardiovascular and metabolic health. But not so much if someone strolls by yelling into a cellphone, bikes pass with music blaring from a boom box, or the sound of traffic rumbles just beyond the treeline.
According to acoustic ecologist Gordon Hempton, silence is an endangered species.
Research shows that when mindful interactions with nature are interrupted by urban noise, it's actually bad for your health.
“There is evidence that noise pollution can have a negative impact on heath and increase the risk of hypertension,” said Brown.
Brown, and her research partner Kristine Coster, approached Metro Vancouver Regional Parks, which manages 23 parks across the region, from Bowen Island and Langley Township to the Lynn Headwaters and Pacific Spirit Park, with the idea of developing trails designated as quiet areas for users seeking refuge, solace, therapeutic or restorative benefits.
Metro Vancouver regional parks jumped on the idea, backed by a $9,000 charitable grant from the Metro Vancouver Regional Parks Foundation.
“It's not much of a nature experience if there is traffic noise, dogs barking, cellphones, and portable speakers,” said David Leavers, a divisional manager of visitor and operation services with Metro Vancouver Regional Parks.
“We want to create spaces where people who come to enjoy nature can be acoustically protected.”
In 2022, Brown conducted a year-long randomized control trial on forest bathing in Vancouver parks, looking at noise, light, temperature and vegetation. There were challenges with urban noise encroachment.
“Going to a park can reduce your blood pressure. But if you go to a park and have noise pollution, it can increase your stress,” said Brown. “You want to be able to hear birds chirping, and the wind rustling through the leaves. But if instead you hear lawn mowers, it's disturbing.”
In Vancouver, where there are only three designated quiet areas — Sunset Beach, Locarno and Spanish Banks — it wasn't always possible. Respondents cited cellphone use, air traffic and even dogs as disruptions.
“I'm a dog lover, I have a dog, but they can be disturbing to some people.” Even the pea gravel used to create paths can be loud and crunchy.
Brown is now working with Metro Vancouver Regional Parks to assess its paths, and identify at least two — one in the east region of Metro, possibly Langley, and another in the west, possibly Pacific Spirit Park — that can be designated for use as quiet trails.
“I grew up here. There are beautiful spaces for all different sorts of recreational activities, and there are ample trails,” said Brown.
“We need a new designation for trails that are tranquil and restorative.”