The Labyrinth Rejuvenation Project - You can Help!

The Carleton Place Community Labyrinth will be celebrating its 15th anniversary in 2026! The focus for this year is to restore and renew the gardens at the labyrinth.

What has been accomplished so far? As a first step we held a “Hosta Party” and a few volunteers (former Labyrinth Committee members) got together and planted more than 20 hostas under the Spruce trees bordering the contemplation ring. We plan to add some bulbs this fall – for a bright spot of colour next Spring.

It has been wonderful to also have the company of the Carleton Place and District Horticulture Society volunteer gardeners on our Tuesday garden tending days. We are collaborating to make the grounds of the Carleton Place Beckwith and Heritage Museum property beautifully landscaped, in an open and flowing manner.

A big change took place when four old and overgrown shrubs (a type of spirea) were removed, with the help of the Town of Carleton Place Parks and Recreation crew. Suddenly things felt more spacious and flowing. Summer staff have helped with garden tending when time permitted.

We are thankful that the Carleton Place Hackberry Men’s Shed folks have been able to help too. So far, the benches at the labyrinth have been power washed and are going to be sanded. The split rail fence is going to be repaired or replaced. And the Community Labyrinth sign lettering is going to be repainted.

We used to have a budget for labyrinth activities through the Carleton Place in Bloom subcommittee, but since it's closure we now rely completely on community donations. So far enough money has been raised to hire a local gardening company, Shelley The Garden Gal, to help with the heavy work of preparing the garden beds for planting.

What is still needed? How you can help!

We are looking for volunteers that can help at a gardening work party on Tuesday October 1st – from 9 am till noon-ish. See information about registering below.

To date we are encouraged to have raised more than 60% of our fundraising goal. But we still need additional financial donations to help us obtain the plants and bulbs for the garden restoration. We may also need more soil, compost and mulch.

All donations appreciated!

Our Plant Wish List:
Shrubs – 4 Hydrangeas, 2 Ninebark Perennials – 12 Sedum (Autumn Joy); 6 shade perennials with burgundy foliage (Cimicifuga, Snake Root or Bugbane); 6 Phlox
Bulbs – Daffodils

To volunteer or make a donation, please contact:
Christine Hume
Volunteer Labyrinth Keeper and Certified Veriditas Labyrinth Facilitator
Cel: 613 859 2136
Email: christinehume@bell.net

Join us at "Light up the Labyrinth" in Fall 2026 for a special 15th anniversary celebration!

Finding Peace on the Labyrinth

Once again, we were blessed with a beautiful evening for our Summer Solstice Peace Walk (held on June 21st, 2019) .at the Carleton Place Community Labyrinth. The magic of the evening seemed never-ending! We had all of the volunteer help that was needed. The sun beams landed directly on the labyrinth. The Rhythm and Song Community Choir sang angelically. And our guest speaker Mony Dojeiji, a veteran pilgrim and author, spoke directly from the heart, to all of our hearts.

We are very thankful for the photographers (John Rayner and Robert McDonald) who helped to catch the spirit of this very special event.

Guest speaker Mony Dojeiji sharing some insights about pilgrimage and labyrinth walking from the heart. (Photo: J. Rayner)

The labyrinth was particularly beautiful and the summer solstice energy in the air was palpable! (Photo: J. Rayner)

Labyrinth walkers were invited to select a stone that resonated with them, carry it while walking, then let it go at the centre of the labyrinth. (Photo: J. Rayner)

There was a great feeling of peace and connection during the labyrinth walk this evening. (Photo: R. McDonald)

The Carleton Place Community Labyrinth has an enlarged centre - intentionally designed to give a larger group room to gather and reflect there. (Photo: J. Rayner)

The Rhythm and Song Community Choir, directed by Jennifer Noxon, sang beautifully while people walked the labyrinth. (Photo: J. Rayner)

We truly felt thankful and full of inner peace on this Summer Solstice eve. (Photo: J. Rayner)

We are all loved. (Photo: J. Rayner)

A World-wide Celebration of the Labyrinth

Our World Labyrinth Day walk turned out to be a great success.  Just minutes before one – people started arriving!  And there were 22 people walking as 1 at 1 PM! 

We placed a globe and World Labyrinth Day poster as a focal point on the labyrinth.

We placed a globe and an enlargement of the World Labyrinth Day  poster on the labyrinth too – and we could see people pausing to look at this setup as they were walking.  It was a good thematic focal point to have - and a reminder of that we were walking together with hundreds of other people in celebration of the labyrinth as a symbol and tool for healing and peace.

On a labyrinth walk today. Boy was it fun!

New this year, we had a "reflection table" - where some children (and adults) coloured before the walk – and some labyrinth walkers gathered afterwards to draw or journal while reflecting upon their experience in the labyrinth.

We had a "reflection table" for labyrinth walkers to gather at after their walk.

There was a short talk - at the standing stone - about World Labyrinth Day, the difference between a labyrinth and a maze, the story of the Carleton Place Community Labyrinth and tips about how to walk a labyrinth.

Work of art created after walking the labyrinth.

And then people started by standing quietly on the pausing stone at the labyrinth entrance - and then walking contemplatively. Afterwards – we invited anyone who wanted to be in the group photo to head to the entrance of the labyrinth.

Greetings from the Carleton Place Community Labyrinth!

Walking the labyrinthine way of my life 

No thought, no time, no place, no rhyme or reason for it 

But this step forward 

And this one next 

Feet on ground, heart stone in hand 

Held in the vast emptiness 

Let go, let go

(by Christine Dixon, WLD walk participant)

A New Vision!

I find it hard to believe that I have now been volunteering with the Carleton Place Community Labyrinth since late 2009.  And that I wrote our first blog post in February 2010. At that time we were a small group dedicated to establishing a permanent community labyrinth in Carleton Place, Ontario. And what a wonderful journey it has been!

Over the past four years, some committee members have moved on to other ventures, but a small core group of labyrinth keepers remains.  It is truly amazing what has been accomplished and I am grateful to continue to be involved with this special group.

Committee members (left to right): Karen Kiddey; Ruth Phyllis; Julia Heathcote; Christine Hume and Debby Lytle

"Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful, committed citizens can change the world. Indeed, it is the only thing that ever has." Margaret Mead

Recently we realized that it was time to reflect, review and evolve our vision statement. To more accurately capture our committee's role and our hopes and dreams for the Community Labyrinth as we move forward...

So out with the OLD:

Walk the Path with a Group of Labyrinth Enthusiasts Dedicated to Building a Permanent Labyrinth

And in with the NEW:

Celebrating the Labyrinth by Fostering Awareness Through Public Walks and Community Events

We look forward to meeting you on the Path throughout the coming year.  And if you happen to be interested in labyrinths and in volunteering to join our Committee - we would love to hear from you!

Blooming Art and Garden Tour

Spend a day in Carleton Place touring seven private gardens, the Victoria School Garden and the Community Labyrinth.

Enjoy the beautiful, individual styles of landscaping and horticulture with the added features of local artists and members of the arts community presenting a variety of artwork, music, and performance art.  Added attractions include samplings of culinary delights and special surprise guests.

Truly a delight for all five senses!

Saturday, July 6,  2013, 10:00-4:00 p.m. (rain date July 7)

Tickets $25.00

For more information visit:
Blooming Tour 
Carleton Place in Bloom 
Arts Carleton Place

New Sign to be Unveiled at World Labyrinth Day Walk

Walking the labyrinth on World Labyrinth Day is the perfect way to celebrate spring!

Join us on Saturday May 4th for our first public event of 2013  as we "Walk as One at 1 pm" in celebration of World Labyrinth Day.  If you are new to the labyrinth experience, this Saturday walk will be the perfect introduction for you. This year, volunteer “labyrinthkeepers” will unveil a new sign that will serve as a year-round guide for visitors to the labyrinth.

Helpful tips for walking and learning more about labyrinths

World Labyrinth Day, declared in 1998 by The Labyrinth Society, brings people together globally to recognize the labyrinth as a symbol, a tool, a passion, and a practice. This will be the fifth World Labyrinth Day walk for the Carleton Place Community Labyrinth, as we join enthusiasts from around the globe who will walk their local labyrinth at 1:00 pm. in their local time zones.

By walking a labyrinth, we are rediscovering an ancient tradition which is still relevant today. Labyrinths offer a special place in a community for people to come together for significant celebrations, to resolve a problem, to enjoy a meditative walk, or to simply take time out of a busy day. The newly built stone-bordered pathway of the Carleton Place Community Labyrinth is situated in a peaceful garden setting beside the Carleton Place & Beckwith Heritage Museum at the corner of George and Baines Streets.

Labyrinths exist in many forms, in places as diverse as Peru, Iceland, Egypt, France, and the United Kingdom. Some have been built on private lands, while others, like the Carleton Place Community Labyrinth, have been created as a public space for all to enjoy. Labyrinth construction was made possible by the Town of Carleton Place, individual, business  & community sponsors, and a Trillium Foundation grant. Garden benches and a wheelchair accessible contemplation ring encircle the labyrinth for those who wish to enjoy the natural setting of "Labyrinth Park".

Members of the volunteer Labyrinth Committee invite you to experience the good feeling walking a labyrinth can make in your life!  Fascinating information about the history, benefits and unique aspects of the labyrinth will also be available.

For more information contact Debby: 613-257-1014
Like us @ Facebook.com/CarletonPlaceCommunityLabyrinth

Labyrinth Fest! June 18th - 10 am to 4 pm

Come and Celebrate the Official Opening of the Carleton Place Community Labyrinth!

On Saturday June 18th, a festival of fun for all ages will showcase the official opening of Carleton Place’s newly built permanent labyrinth on the grounds of Carleton Place & Beckwith Heritage Museum (formerly the Victoria School Museum). Organizers from The Labyrinth Committee (TLC) are planning an informal daytime festival theme, where visitors are welcome to drop in between 10 am. and 4 pm. on Saturday the 18th. We invite you to experience our newly completed labyrinth, enjoy a wide variety of music, visit artisan booths with labyrinth themes, and enjoy lunch or snacks from the vendors on-site. Children of all ages can visit the activity table to make a lantern for future evening walks.

Make a lantern for an evening labyrinth walk!

“It’s a really exciting time for the Committee - after three years of planning, fund-raising, and holding several public events, the labyrinth will now be a permanent fixture in Carleton Place. We are proud to bring this experience to our community! ” exclaims Debby Lytle, TLC chairperson.

A Grand Opening and Official Ribbon-Cutting will kick off the festivities. For those who are new to the labyrinth experience, facilitated walks will be held throughout the day by qualified instructors. A slide presentation will also be shown inside the museum for those interested in knowing more of the history and reasons for the labyrinth's modern revival.

“We decided that a fun, festival-like feeling is a perfect way to open the new labyrinth, and thank our many community supporters and volunteers,” adds Lytle.

For those who are new to the labyrinth experience, a labyrinth is a circular path - an ancient spiral form that has been used for over 4,000 years. A single entrance point guides the walker through a series of turns that lead to the centre of the pattern. Unlike a maze, a labyrinth holds no tricks or dead ends. The walker can 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.

For more information call Debby 613-257-1014
A full schedule of events will be posted here soon!