On the shortest day of the year, the City of St. Louis Park community gathered at Westwood Hills Nature Center for an event that was as much about light as it was about reflecting on the darker aspects of our collective experience. The annual Be the Light Winter Solstice Walk invited participants to follow a trail illuminated by over 400 paper bag luminaries, 50 paper lanterns, and 50 ice luminaries. A social media post from the City of St. Louis Park described the event as an opportunity for attendees to light a candle "in honor or memory of someone who struggles with or struggled with mental health."
More than just a stroll through the woods, the Be the Light Winter Solstice Walk aimed to create a shared space for remembrance and recognition of the mental health struggles that touch many lives. More than 250 community members attended the event – an impressive turnout that speaks to the communal desire to "be the light" in the more shadowed corners of our existence. According to the City of St. Louis Park social media post, attendees also had the chance to make more than 200 s’mores around a bonfire, adding a warm and comforting tradition to the reflective atmosphere of the gathering.
The collective effort to brighten the night was a testament to the resilience and solidarity of the St. Louis Park community. As night fell, messages from community members shone amongst the trees, guiding the way and offering silent words of support and encouragement to those walking the path. The visual messages were a powerful reminder that even in the depths of winter, warmth and light can be found when people come together in support of one another.
The success of the event was a combined effort of many, including Andrea Nhusmoen, Westwood Hills Nature Center staff, volunteers, SLP Ambassadors, and local business Good Day Coffee. Their dedication to organizing and supporting the walk ensured that it was not only memorable but also infused with a spirit of community care and engagement. It goes to show that sometimes, even in the chill of a winter's night, a community can surely come together to generate a palpable warmth that resonates far beyond the flickering of candles.
