NEWSLETTER
Unveiling of the Adirondack Labyrinth
Bakers Mills, NY -- The Adirondack Labyrinth, officially opening on August 1 in the Town of Johnsburg, is a new 70-foot outdoor labyrinth believed to be the first mindfulness tourist attraction in the Adirondack Mountain region. And it is much more: A safe place to leave politics, identities, and issues aside to walk into a renewed sense of calm and centeredness literally. Those coming to walk the labyrinth can choose from a free one-hour self-guided walk or with a certified labyrinth facilitator, all the way to unique curated experiences featuring additional elements such as crystal bowls, farm-to-table community meals, and full-day and weekend-themed retreats.
After $40,000 in costs, two and a half years of planning and building, and more than 50 volunteers putting in 3,100 volunteer hours (and counting), the Adirondack Labyrinth is a welcoming sanctuary. Already gaining an international audience, “pilgrims” from Calgary to California are planning to be the first to walk it.
With escalating local-to-global political tensions and divisive rhetoric, grass-roots initiatives ignite a much-needed sense of hope and unity. The Adirondack Labyrinth is a unique and timely story that represents the power of individuals to make a difference when so many feel helpless.
An Adirondack Town in Need of Healing
Located northwest of Lake George and inclusive of Gore Ski Mountain, the town of Johnsburg appears idyllic. However, beneath its picturesque facade, and much like America, this town is grappling with division and discord. Supervisor Andrea Hogan resigned before completing her second term due to political discord.
The town now finds itself under the stewardship of Interim Supervisor Mark Smith. Both Smith and Hogan recognize the significance of the Adirondack Labyrinth, a tool that has the potential to bridge divides.
"From the moment I learned about this contemplative walking tool, I believed it to be a home run,” says Smith. “The Labyrinth will draw people from all over, but it can be instrumental in our community as a safe place to begin to look at each other as neighbors, town residents, and just plain old people ~ fellow humans with families and concerns and all of us trying to do our best. Things are so complicated and disturbed; it’s good to return to simple things.” He adds humorously, “That strange feeling you can’t identify when you finish walking the labyrinth? That’s peace.”
Hogan says, “The Adirondack Mountains have long been a refuge for those seeking healing. It's appropriate and somehow just right that the Adirondack Labyrinth is built here. I can't think of a more important project for our community, our nation, and our world right now.”
Build It & They Will Come
The Adirondack Labyrinth is an invitation to a journey of human connection. With 40 million people residing within a 300-mile radius, Christine and Larry Powers, full-time residents of Johnsburg since 2016, are quickly preparing the infrastructure to welcome people from near and far as they watch the momentum build.
The Labyrinth is nestled on the grounds of Asa Adirondack, founded by Christine Powers in 2022, a 100-acre, transformative “people refuge” and retreat center for “soft adventure.” Powers’ visionary leadership brought together people and resources worldwide to create the Labyrinth. Tony Christie, a world-renowned labyrinth expert from Ireland, was brought in to design the labyrinth with the Powers, then Larry Powers led the building over the span of eighteen months.
Christine Powers advises transformational, business, and thought leaders as a business and spiritual advisor, or “Spiritual Consigliere.” Others recognize her programs as unique and potent in cultivating community, developing leaders who are fierce guardians of wonder and wisdom for our times, and empowering self-mastery in a complicated world.
The Adirondack Labyrinth is distinctive as the Seventh Legacy Labyrinth in the world ~ a network of labyrinths dedicated to peace and healing.
Here's why covering this story matters:
- Unique Design: The Adirondack Labyrinth boasts a beautiful mountain setting and is a larger replica of the labyrinth embedded in the floor of Chartres Cathedral in France, built in 1203 AD. A UNESCO World Heritage site, Chartres draws 1.5 million visitors per year.
- A Catalyst for Healing: The Adirondack Labyrinth is a safe sanctuary for individuals from diverse backgrounds to come together in connection and community.
- The Power of the Few to Impact Many: This labyrinth is a living example of how everyday citizens' sincerity, dedication, and passion can achieve great things for the common good.
- Community Engagement: The dedication is not a singular event; it marks the beginning of a movement toward engagement. Your audience can witness firsthand the positive impact grassroots initiatives can have on communities, towns, and beyond, inspiring others to act. It is contagious. As a demonstration of this, the Town of Johnsburg, the organization “For the Good of All, Now,” and over 35 individuals and businesses are financial partners supporting portions of the construction.
- A new, post-COVID trend in tourism: The Adirondack Labyrinth is believed to be the first “mindfulness tourist attraction” in the Adirondack Mountains and is generating enthusiasm from business leaders who see its potential to tap into new tourism markets.
- Timeliness and Relevance: The Adirondack Labyrinth is timely against a global yearning for stability. As visitors navigate its winding path, they embark on a metaphorical journey toward peace, symbolizing the quest for harmony in our society. By highlighting the Labyrinth, you demonstrate a commitment to covering stories that resonate with the pressing concerns of your audience.
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Links: https://www.asaadirondack.com/; https://lakegeorgechamber.com/
@asaadirondack, @visitlakegeorge
Contact:
Christine Powers, Founder/CEO
ASA Adirondack
(518) 466-4035
Gina Mintzer, Executive Director
Lake George Regional Chamber of Commerce & CVB
518-668-5755, 518-229-3827
gmintzer@lakegeorgechamber.com