Metroparks Toledo, Mercy Health Host Saturday Mindfulness Hikes at Oak Openings, Farnsworth

Mercy Health sponsored a Winter Woods Mindfulness Night Hike at Oak Openings Preserve Metropark on Saturday, Feb. 21, 2026, meeting at the Wheelhouse patio in the Beach Ridge area of Oak Openings, 5402 Wilkins Rd., Whitehouse, OH. Metroparks Toledo presented the event as part of a collaborative campaign with Mercy Health promoting parks’ role in mental and physical well-being.

Organizers scheduled a 6:30–7:00 p.m. physician chat inside the Wheelhouse, followed by staggered hike departures. Toledo.com listed the logistics: “Come to the Wheelhouse early from 6:30-7PM and chat with cardiologists at Mercy Health; Dr. Hemindermeet Singh, Dr. Guneet Ahluwalia, and Dr. Khalid Minhas.” The large-group hike left at 7:00 p.m., while smaller groups were scheduled to depart at 7:30 p.m. and 7:45 p.m., each small session limited to 12 people; the Wheelhouse and trail closed at 9:00 p.m.

The Oak Openings walk was described as a self-guided mindfulness route along a marked trail with stops and prompts to encourage nature enjoyment. Shannon Hughes, Metroparks director of education and programming, emphasized the experiential aim: “It really gives you a chance to reconnect with nature,” and added that the program “gives you that opportunity to show gratitude.” Participants were invited to return to the Wheelhouse for a campfire and s’mores: “When you come back to Beach Ridge and you come to the Wheelhouse, there’s going to be s’mores,” Hughes said. The Wheelhouse was open for purchases but closed at 9 p.m. Event listings instructed attendees to “Please register for the 6:30, 7:30, or 7:45PM session,” while noting the 7:00 p.m. large hike was open to any number of hikers.

Metroparks and Mercy Health scheduled a second mindfulness offering for Saturday, March 7, 2026, at Farnsworth Metropark. That session, called the Metroparks Eco-Therapy Experience, will be held at Roche de Bout and is limited to ages 16 and up. Shannon Hughes described the format: “That’s actually going to be held at Roche de Bout, and so it’s going to be a leisurely stroll of under an hour, under a mile walk along the river.” WTVG reporting additionally noted the Eco-Therapy Experience will focus on mind, body, and spiritual wellness as late winter approaches and that physicians will be present as an added perk.

The Metroparks programming sits alongside other local mindfulness offerings. The Toledo Mindfulness Institute lists a March 21 session at its own location with presenter Amy Boros and a Community theme; an April 18 session at Willys Park with Keep Toledo/Lucas County Beautiful focused on Air; and a May 16 session themed Earth. The Institute also offers Prenatal/Postnatal Yoga with Anabelle at $30 drop-in or included in TMI membership, with doctor approval required and inquiries directed to info@toledomindfulnessinstitute.com, and it requires a TMI Kids Membership for ages 7–11 programs (contact the same email for details). Metroparks’ broader calendar includes a June 13 Yoga & Community Connections session by the Toledo Mindfulness Institute, 10 a.m. to 12 p.m., free and beginner-friendly, listed for the Glass City Riverwalk.

“This free program is part of a collaborative campaign between Metroparks Toledo and Mercy Health that promotes the power of parks in improving the community’s mental and physical well-being.”