New trail in Portaupique aims to bring hope and healing to community 

Oct 9, 2024

Portaupique will soon be home to a unique walking trail that allows Nova Scotians to experience the power of storytelling while enjoying the wonders of nature.  

On Saturday, October 19 the Story Trail opens with a launch event at the Portaupique Community Centre starting at 11:00 a.m.   

A unique intersection between art and nature, the Story Trail incorporates images from Holly Carr’s book, “The Comfort Tree” into a trail surrounding the Portaupique Community Centre with the goal of generating safe discussion around the topics of fear, anxiety, and hope.  

The book, written especially for this project in collaboration with the people of Portaupique, is a companion to Carr’s critically acclaimed 2020 release, “Light in the Forest.” The books and story trail serve as a beautiful reminder for people of all ages that, even in times of darkness, there is light and hope.   

The Story Trail is a collaboration between Carr, the Canadian Mental Health Association Nova Scotia Division, the Canadian Mental Health Association Colchester-East-Hants Branch, and the Portaupique Community Build-Up Project.   

The Story Trail launch takes place on Saturday, October 19 at 11 a.m. at the Portaupique Community Centre located at 30 Portaupique Loop, Portaupique, NS.  The family-friendly celebration will include brief welcoming comments, art activities for children, a guided tour of the story trail, and light refreshments.  

MEDIA CONTACT: 

Erin Christie, Provincial Lead – Communications and Community Engagement

Canadian Mental Health Association Nova Scotia Division

Email: [email protected] | Phone: 902-293-7778