Park’s dementia trail opens

WOOWOOKARUNG Regional Park’s ground-breaking Dementia-Friendly Forest and Sensory Trail is now open for the community’s use.

The idea of Bigger Hearts Dementia Alliance Ballarat founder Anne Tudor, the one-kilometre compacted gravel trail is at the park’s entry on Katy Ryans Road, near Elsworth Street.

It is accessible for people of all abilities, wheelchairs and walkers, has wetlands, a boardwalk, and six circular outdoor rooms with large rocks where people with dementia, their carers, friends, and families, or other visiting community groups can rest and enjoy the smells, sights, sounds and textures of the bush.

Ms Tudor and Member for Buninyong Michaela Settle opened the trail last week.

“The passion, initiative and ingenuity of Anne Tudor and the local community in championing dementia-friendly spaces… across Ballarat is incredibly impressive,” Ms Settle said.

“This trail is a prime example of how parks can play really important roles in connecting and supporting the health and wellbeing of all members of the community.

“This park is providing important opportunities for all members of the Ballarat community to reap the health benefits of being in nature.”