Heidelberg creates, installs labyrinth

TIFFIN — Heidelberg University has announced the creation of a labyrinth on its campus. Labyrinths are "an ancient tool that has been in use for more than 4,000 years," according to a press release from the university. The labyrinth is in a green space behind the Campus Center near parking lot F. The project was spearheaded by Dr. DoHee Kim-Appel, professor of graduate counseling at Heidelberg. She said the idea was born from the pandemic. "It was challenging for all of us to navigate daily life during the pandemic, and the impact continues," Dr. Kim-Appel explained. "The labyrinth would have been one of the tools to help us out of isolation, being in nature and practicing mindfulness by centering and grounding ourselves and focusing on the here and now, which could help emotional stability and awareness of ourselves and our surroundings." To fund the idea, she contacted local faith-based and community organizations who provided funding for the project, totaling $55,400. The university provided the following breakdown of donations: Meshech Frost Trust - $25,400 White Family Charitable Fund of the Tiffin Community Foundation - $10,000 Donald D. Lynch Family Foundation - $9,500 Heidelberg's Religious Life Fund - $5,000 Sisters of St. Francis - $500 Drs. DoHee Kim-Appel and Jonathan Appel - $2,500 Dr. Dawn Henry and Attorney Dean Henry - $2,500 The labyrinth is available to both students and community members. "To utilize the labyrinth and promote healthy habits, 'Let's Walk Together' will begin at 5:15 p.m. every Thursday," said Kim-Appel. The first one is Sept. 19. The group will walk around the campus, do labyrinth walking, or both. The walks will continue until Dec. 5, except for holidays and extreme weather conditions." "We will make a loop starting from the labyrinth, proceed to the trail next to Hoernemann Stadium, turn left onto Main Street, then left onto Prospect Street, left onto Greenfield Street, to Aigler Hall, and end at the labyrinth," she said. Everyone is invited to the event, she shared. "Over the last two weeks, HU students, staff and community members have been curious about this new tool," she said. "After their walk, they described the experience as 'calming,' 'so peaceful,' 'I can conquer the rest of my day' and 'more relaxing than I thought.'" It is open to the Heidelberg community and the public for wellness and mindfulness practices. Individuals can use the Labyrinth for meditation, prayer, and health-wellness practice. It is available 24 hours a day, seven days a week. A formal dedication ceremony will be announced at a later date.