Tucked into the quiet countryside of Hermon, New York, Lazy River Playground and Retreat Center has long been a place where people gather to reconnect with family, with community, and with the land. Since 1942, generations have come to enjoy the property’s natural charm and timeless traditions, returning year after year.
Now, Lazy River is opening a new chapter in that story with the certification of the Lazy River Forest Therapy Trail. Designed to invite visitors to slow down, breathe deeply, and rediscover their connection with the living world, the trail offers a gentle invitation to experience nature in a more mindful and restorative way. For Sarah Pickard, manager of Lazy River and the consultant who guided the certification process, the inspiration came from a simple but meaningful intention: to share the quiet beauty of the land with others.
“I wanted to share the magic and wonder of our land and forest with our community in a way that inspires people to slow down and reconnect with nature.” Her life-partner, Doug Reczko, shares that same sentiment, “It comes from a love of nature and wanting to give people a place to enjoy it.”
A Place with History – and Heart
From May through October, Lazy River Playground and Retreat Center becomes a gathering place for unforgettable moments. Families celebrate birthdays and reunions, schools host outdoor events, and couples exchange vows surrounded by the peaceful beauty of the North Country landscape. Guests can extend their stay in the Lazy River Cabins, enjoying quiet evenings and unhurried mornings in nature.
The new forest therapy trail adds another layer to the Lazy River experience, one rooted in wellness, presence, and connection.
The trail itself has long been part of the landscape, winding through open fields and along the riverbank. Preparing it for certification required thoughtful consideration. Last summer, Sarah and Doug cleared fallen trees, widened sections of the path, smoothed uneven areas, and added railings and signage to ensure visitors could move safely and comfortably through the forest. “Honestly, not many changes were needed,” Sarah reflects. “Mostly cleanup and making the trail accessible.” For Doug, one of the most surprising discoveries during the process was simply learning that forest therapy trails could be formally certified.
A Living Landscape
Walking the Lazy River Forest Therapy Trail means sharing the forest with many of its longtime residents. Visitors may encounter white-tailed deer moving quietly through the trees, chipmunks and squirrels darting along the forest floor, or songbirds filling the air with their calls. Occasionally, a curious mink may appear near the river’s edge.Each season bringsits own sensory experiences. The trail invites visitors to pause, notice the subtle shifts of light and sound, and allow the landscape to reveal itself in small, meaningful ways. For Sarah, certifying the trail was both personal and joyful. “It was exciting and deeply meaningful. Certifying my first trail on the property where I live felt like the perfect way to share these woods with the community.”
A New Opportunity for Nature Connection
The Lazy River Forest Therapy Trail fills an important gap in the region. In this rural area of northern New York, opportunities to experience guided forest therapy are limited. The trail offers a dedicated place where individuals, families, and visitors can explore nature connection close to home. It will also support Lazy River’s growing program offerings. Through guided forest bathing walks, solo retreats, group wellness retreats and Reiki sessions, Lazy River Forest Therapy provides opportunities for rest, reflection, and renewal. With the addition of its certified forest therapy trail, Lazy River Playground and Retreat Center continues its long tradition of bringing people together. This time, with a deeper invitation: not only to gather with one another, but to rediscover a quiet relationship with the land itself.