The Labyrinth Committee (TLC) is a group of volunteers all with a keen interest in establishing a permanent labyrinth within our community. TLC is a sub- committee of the Carleton Place in Bloom committee, a committee of council.
Our introduction to labyrinths came about when a number of us attended a Carleton Place and District Horticultural Society meeting and listened to , “Lessons from the Labyrinth” a presentation by Jenny Anderson, a local horticulturalist and labyrinth builder. Inspired by the opportunity to create a unique public space for passive recreation, meditation and community events our enthusiasm about the project grew. Further encouraged by CPiB chair, and councillor Wendy LeBlanc our group came together from standing members of CPiB and other interested volunteers. Our first meeting was held in April of 2008.
“Walk the Path” has become a phase used by our committee over the past two years as we continue to work towards creating the permanent labyrinth and gardens. We believe it can happen.
For more information contact:
Christine Hume, Volunteer Labyrinth Keeper & Veriditas Certified Labyrinth Facilitator
Carleton Place Community Labyrinth
Cel: 613 859 2136
Email: christinehume@bell.net
Backgrounder - Fall 2011:
A labyrinth is a circular path, an ancient spiral symbol that has been used for over 4000 years. A labyrinth's path guides a participant to its centre and back out again. Unlike a maze, the labyrinth holds no tricks or dead ends. The walker is free to focus on a thought, a prayer, or simply enjoy the walk itself. Walking a labyrinth has been used for centuries to support healing, meditation and personal growth.
The Labyrinth Committee is a sub-committee of Carleton Place in Bloom. The committee was first formed in January 2008, inspired by a speaker at a Carleton Place & Horticultural Society meeting. The committee’s long term goal of creating a permanent labyrinth within a peaceful garden landscape is now a reality. Public and municipal support for the project has been outstanding, with close to $10,000 donated by individuals, community groups, and local businesses. In 2010, the Town of Carleton Place granted $17,500 to the project, along with permission to use the property behind the Museum. In December of 2010, the committee was also successful in receiving grant monies of $15,000 from the Ontario Trillium Foundation, to improve accessibility to the labyrinth.
Reid Gardens completed the hard landscaping for the Carleton Place Community Labyrinth this past spring. The installation of garden beds, a wheelchair accessible contemplation circle, wooden garden benches crafted locally by John Allan, inspirational stones and a stone bench inscribed with a finger labyrinth were the finishing touches. "Labyrinth Fest", marked the official opening of the permanent site on Saturday June 18th , 2011 with a festival of local music, food, vendors of labyrinth products, art, and labyrinth demonstrations for the public.
