ST. GEORGE – The healing power of nature was the focus of a walking tour on the grounds of Dixie Regional Medical Center in St. George Friday. The walk is the first in a series of monthly morning social walks hosted by the St. George Chamber of Commerce and Intermountain Healthcare to promote a healthy lifestyle.
More than 20 guests explored the Desert Trail portion of the hospital’s extensive landscape led by Rich Tarinelli, landscape supervisor. The trail is the newest feature in the mile of pathways that make up the landscape gardens.
The tour served as an introduction to the collaboration between the campus landscape and the LiVe Well component of the medical center that encourages living the healthiest life possible.
“We want the landscape to be an extension of that mission,” Tarinelli said. “The landscape department hopes to go from being a passive entity to being an entity that engages, educates and gives opportunities for wellness to the community.”
Tarinelli described the plant life and geologic elements of the trail that ends in a circular labyrinth designed to be used as an opportunity for silent contemplation or experienced as a group.
“To draw upon the energy that’s all around us and focus into our internal well-being,” Tarinelli said.
The center of the circle features the Jerry Anderson sculpture “The Last Reign” depicting the final days of the Anasazi.
Kathy Tolleson and Kerry Lewis diverted from their regular morning walking route to take part in the tour.
“I’m very surprised,” Tolleson said. “I’ve been here many times and these are little hidden gems I did not know about.”
The St. George residents plan to add the hospital campus to their list of walking venues.
“They have a 1-mile route and we’re going to start walking that in the morning just because we can come and do the labyrinth which is very therapeutic,” Lewis said. “It’s beautiful.”
The next walk in the series is a guided tour of downtown St. George, Sept. 11. Each walk is free and open to the public.
Resources
- Intermountain Healthcare LiVe Well Center | 652 S. Medical Center Drive, St. George | Telephone 435-251-1570 | website
Related posts
- City changes power rates, buys property for power line; Dixie Regional Medical Center expansion
- LiVe Well Center offers special active aging lectures
- Students, parents, motorists: Read, learn, practice crosswalk rules, safety
Email: [email protected]
Twitter: @STGnews
Copyright St. George News, SaintGeorgeUtah.com LLC, 2015, all rights reserved.