Woowookarung - 10,000 Steps & Dementia Friendly Forest & Sensory Trail

Forest Therapy Trail

The Dementia Friendly Forest and Sensory Trail is a 1.2km walk located in Woowookarung Regional Park, Ballarat. Developed by Parks Victoria in partnership with the Bigger Hearts Dementia Alliance, it is a world-first initiative designed to provide an accessible, inclusive and immersive nature experience for people living with dementia. Since opening in July 2021, the trail has welcomed thousands of visitors and has supported a range of community activities, including choir performances and monthly tai chi sessions.

Our role in the project included consultation with Parks Victoria, key stakeholders, and the dementia community to develop a reverse brief, concept design, design development and documentation. We also helped establish a benchmark for dementia-friendly trails, drawing on Dementia Australia guidelines.

The design prioritises safety, clarity and sensory comfort, with well-defined paths, accessible gradients, and opportunities for rest, retreat and social connection. Environmental triggers such as excessive noise, light and strong scents were carefully considered, alongside minimising visual clutter. The trail adopts a light-touch approach, largely following an existing 4WD track to protect indigenous vegetation and retain the natural bushland character.

Designed for all ages and abilities, the trail accommodates walkers, cyclists and mobility aids, and forms part of the broader 10,000 Steps network within the park. It also supports the Bigger Hearts Dementia Alliance’s vision of building a more dementia-aware and inclusive community. The trail is recognised as part of the Green Scripts initiative, connecting people with nature-based activities that support physical, emotional and social wellbeing.

Awards:

AILA Victorian Chapter 2022 Landscape Architecture Award – Health and Education Landscape category for Woowookarung Dementia Friendly Forest and Sensory Trail

AILA National Landscape Architecture Award – Health and Education Landscape category for Woowookarung Dementia Friendly Forest and Sensory Trail

2022 Victorian Disability Sport and Recreation Award for Inclusive Open Space