Chaula Jain, a Geospatial Information Services (GIS) database administrator for Mecklenburg County, has created a greenway map using GIS data compiled by her coworker Scott Black. The map is designed to be more user-friendly than Google Maps, Jain told Axios. The project stems from her involvement in a local walking group called Forest Bathing, which she and her husband, Jitendra Jain, have led for over nine years.
The Forest Bathing group meets every weekend, attracting roughly 10-15 participants who cover 5-6 miles during their walks. The group's name was inspired by the Japanese practice of shinrin-yoku (forest bathing), which focuses on mindful movement in nature to enhance health and well-being. The group also enjoys social activities like coffee or breakfast after their walks.
Forest Bathing is open to anyone and meets on Saturday mornings at 7:30am during the summer and 8:30am after Daylight Saving Time ends on November 1. The meeting location changes weekly, and interested individuals can contact Jain at [email protected] for more information. The group also organizes an annual half marathon and has donated benches to Mecklenburg County Park and Rec.
Looking ahead, Jain and her husband plan to start an evening walking group open to all age groups, expanding their community's access to nature-based activities.