A hike on the South Mountain Reservation Fairy trail can be a magical experience, thanks to a loving mom who has created tiny fairy houses along the way.
Walking and being in nature can be immensely beneficial, as it helps both physically and mentally.
To enhance your experience in nature, you might just run into a fascinating fairy trail, if you live somewhere around Milburn, New Jersey.
According to reports by CBS News, the South Mountain Reservation fairy trail is a beautiful and magical experience for not only kids but even adults.
Therese Ojibway from Milburn, is an artist and mom of an autistic son. She began creating tiny adorable houses which she left around the Rahway trail.
To help her son, who has autism, explore and connect with nature, Ojibway created a unique experience by setting up a fairy trail.
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Park officials were more than happy to learn about Ojibway’s wonderful creations and allowed her to continue with her artwork for nearly a decade.
A few years ago, even after Ojibway and her family moved out of the area , the South Mountain Reservation Fairy Trail still continues to exist and even grow, thanks to volunteers like Beth Kelly and Julie Gould.
Kelly and Gould thought it would be a shame to discontinue the beautiful constructions along the fairy trail, and decided to keep the wonderful experience alive for anyone visiting the same.
They keep making additions of tiny houses in little nooks and crannies of the forest trees and under other natural formations.
Trail keeper Beth Kelly feels the fairy trail is a great way to get young children interested in nature and let their imaginations soar.
She also believes that it will benefit special needs and early childhood education programs.
“The main idea here is that you get a fantastic experience when you visit,” Kelly told CBS News “It touches your heart, it gives you a sense of wonder, imagination, creativity, and it all blends and bonds with nature.”
During the pandemic when Kelly was looking for a scenic spot for her two young sons to spend some time outside in the fresh air, she discovered the trail. While Gould found the fairy trail when she was teaching Pre-K.
The entire trail is now home to more than 100 small houses that are carefully placed around the forest. The tiny houses provide fairies with private and peaceful spots to rest and stay.
The best part is that all the houses are made from natural materials, some of which were found in the forest, and they are painted in natural colors. With time, the houses will disappear through biodegradation, causing no harm to the environment.
Most of the kids who come over actually think Kelly gets to talk to and spend time with the fairies.
Many kids even believe they saw magical beings and fairies flying between the trees.
But the duo explains to the kids that fairies and other such creatures try to stay hidden and safe from people and it is alright even if they are unable to see them.
The trail is a place for “kids of all ages” and ensures that the inner child wonders and stays alive in a day well spent with nature.
