After being trapped at home for months due to COVID-19, a Richmond Facebook group is encouraging people to join them as they find ways to enjoy nature while following public health guidelines to minimize risks of contracting COVID-19.
If there is ever a time when nature is needed, it’s now, according to Richmondite Wendy Ang, who set up a Facebook group called Four Seasons of Play a month ago.
The group has already gone on two hikes -- one at Capilano Suspension Bridge and another at Cypress Falls in West Vancouver. Hikers are also encouraged to wear masks and maintain social-distancing during the trip.
Ang, who is passionate about outdoor activities, told the Richmond News she feels blessed to be able to hike in the woods again after spending months stuck at home. Hoping to help more people venture outdoors, she set up the Facebook group with her friend Tanan Kesornbua.
“I want people to experience the Canadian wilderness and create lifetime memories after being stuck at home for months.
“I have been living in Canada for so long; there are still so many places I have never seen,” said Ang, adding that she hopes to explore more places in B.C. with others who haven’t experienced as much of the province as she had.
“We had a three-year-old girl and many seniors coming out. A father and his son were taking photos of the scenery. We saw lake water when we came back down from the top of the mountain, everyone took off their shoes and started playing in the water,” said Ang, adding that the water and craggy peaks provide everyone a sense of adventure and accomplishment which has been unavailable during much of their time stuck at home.
The Facebook group has partnered with Community Tree, a not-for-profit aimed at creating community connections, to invite new Canadians to enjoy that iconic Canadian experience of connecting with nature.
As an immigrant himself, Kesornbua understands that people who have never gone camping or into the wilderness might feel hesitant to go outside.
“I got on board immediately after hearing Wendy’s idea of introducing the outdoor concept to immigrants. I know a lot of people from the Thai community who don’t try outdoor activities very often, Four Seasons of Play could be a medium to connect those people to nature,” said Kesornbua.
Ang said she also welcomes more people from different walks of life to participate in future trips together.
