Celebrating Summer Solstice Through Nature, Wellness and Community
There couldn't have been a more beautiful afternoon to welcome summer.
Families and friends gathered at Willow Park Ecology Centre to celebrate Summer on the day of the Solstice with an afternoon of reflection, connection, hands-on learning and caring for our shared planet. Surrounded by birdsong, children's laughter and the beauty of the park, participants embraced the season while reconnecting with nature—and with one another.
Community members gathered around the wellness fire for reflection, connection and celebration of the Summer Solstice.
Solstice Ceremony Leader Maha Kali Jaya offers a traditional smudging ceremony. WPEC Executive Director Tunde Otto participates in the ceremony.
The afternoon began around a welcoming wellness fire led by Maha Kali Jaya. Through storytelling, guided breathing and sound bowl meditation (and the sharing of seasonal fresh strawberries), participants were invited to slow down and be present in the moment.
A traditional Indigenous smudging ritual using sage offered those who wished to participate an opportunity to reflect, release negative energy and welcome the new season with renewed focus and positive intentions. As the wellness-fire portion came to a close, participants described feeling peaceful, connected and energized — a perfect beginning to the first day of summer.
New varieties of native plants now improve the Butterfly Habitat Garden, providing valuable habitat and food sources for pollinators while supporting biodiversity throughout the ravine.
Following the ceremony everyone headed into our Pollinator Gardens, where conversation quickly turned into action. Participants of all ages helped plant native flowers that will support bees, butterflies and other important pollinators throughout the growing season.
Together, participants added beautiful native species, including wild strawberry, square-stemmed monkey flower and butterfly weed to both the Butterfly Habitat Garden and the Roadside Pollinator Patch.
Some were planting for the very first time, while experienced gardeners happily shared their knowledge and enthusiasm reinforcing that every flower planted helps strengthen biodiversity and supports the pollinators that make so much of our food possible.
Children eagerly watch their cyanotype artwork develop in the sunshine while WPEC Summer Student Kathryn Joseph guides the popular solar art activity.
The afternoon concluded in the Pavilion, where guests enjoyed fresh fruit and cookies while children eagerly created cyanotype "sun prints" using leaves and feathers. As their artwork developed in the sunshine, they discovered how the power of the sun can be used not only to create beautiful art, but also for powering our many energy needs. The activity inspired conversations about renewable energy and caring for our environment.
Thank you to everyone who joined us in celebrating the Summer Solstice and caring for our shared planet - and we look forward to welcoming you back soon.
We are especially grateful to TD Bank and their TD Park People grant for supporting this successful event and helping this meaningful day of wellness and planet care operate smoothly.
