The healing hand of nature

By LIAM MAYO
Posted 1/29/25

LACKAWAXEN TOWNSHIP, PA — The psychological benefits of nature could soon be utilized in Lackawaxen’s Sunrise Park, as the township’s board of supervisors heard a proposal on …

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The healing hand of nature

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LACKAWAXEN TOWNSHIP, PA — The psychological benefits of nature could soon be utilized in Lackawaxen’s Sunrise Park, as the township’s board of supervisors heard a proposal on January 20 to use the park for therapeutic walks. 

Karen Thompson is a licensed professional councilor and trauma specialist, as well as a doctor in mind-body medicine. Currently, Thompson practices “adventure therapy” with Dr. Karen’s Adventure Therapy, which she described as “the blending of counseling and nature-based practices.”

Thompson came to the township seeking permission to conduct healing walks in Sunrise Park, a township-owned park at 169 Urban Road. 

She said she has a deep family connection to the area—her grandfather purchased property in the area in 1954, and “he used to fish in the Lackawaxen while my father was sneaking through Old Man Urban’s property”—and has a passion for the “incredible natural beauty of our community.”

“During the pandemic, I began walk-and-talk therapy sessions, and was amazed at the profound impact of nature on my clients’ well being,” she said. 

As of now, Thompson is planning to start slowly with a sunset walk under the full moon. However, in the future, she hopes to expand her offerings, including with hikes for neurodivergent children. 

Township officials didn’t see an issue with Thompson’s proposal—the park is public property, they said. They asked Thompson to include the township in her waiver and liability forms, which she was happy to do. 

“I just really want respectful communication and working together,” she said. 

A fall fair

A farmers’ market originally proposed to run from May to October has been re-envisioned as a limited-run fall fair, to take place in Sunrise Park Sundays in September between 11 a.m. and 2 p.m.

Heather Clark, secretary of the nonprofit Growing Lackawaxen, told the board of supervisors she solicited interest from local farmers, but found they didn’t want to participate in additional markets.

Hopefully, more limited dates might “bring in more of a chance” of farmers participating, Clark said. 

Managing the great outdoors

In November, the Lackawaxen Township Board of Supervisors agreed to purchase the Threshman property at 700 Towpath Road, an access point onto the Lackawaxen River currently owned by Kittatinny Canoes, and to create a parks and recreation board to oversee the town’s public land, including that property. 

Both initiatives were still works in progress as of the January meeting. Supervisors told the public that the Threshman’s deal had not yet closed, and that the ordinances still needed to be created for the parks and recreation board. 

Lackawaxen Township, Sunrise Park

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