Bruce King, back left, president and CEO of New London Hospital; Mark Vernon, a member of the New London Conservation Commission, back right; Kimberly Hallquist, front left, New London town administrator; and Catherine Bardier, director of wellness and community health at New London Hospital at the hospital's new Hospital Community Trail. (Photograph courtesy of New London Hospital)
Bruce King, back left, president and CEO of New London Hospital; Mark Vernon, a member of the New London Conservation Commission, back right; Kimberly Hallquist, front left, New London town administrator; and Catherine Bardier, director of wellness and community health at New London Hospital at the hospital's new Hospital Community Trail. (Photograph courtesy of New London Hospital)

New London — Employees, patients and visitors at New London Hospital can now enjoy more time outside by strolling along the Hospital Community Trail, a 1-mile walking loop on the hospital’s property that opened June 13.

“The trail provides a resource for the community to move more and take advantage of the beautiful area in which we live by staying active,” said Catherine Bardier, director of wellness and community health at the hospital.

The Hospital Community Trail is part of New London Hospital’s community health initiative, “The Wellness Connection for a Healthy Lake Sunapee Region,”  which emphasizes active living, healthy eating and stress reduction for local residents. With entrances just off the parking lot of the hospital, the new trail is easily accessible.

“We are pleased to support this important community initiative by making hospital property available for this new trail,” said Bruce King, president and CEO of New London Hospital.

So far, many community members have taken advantage of the trail to get moving and relax in nature. Bardier said hospital employees and other local workers are often seen out on the trail, alongside joggers and walkers who use the 26 miles of trails in New London. 

Plans for the trail have been in progress for about two years, and required cooperation between the hospital, which owns the land, and the utility company Eversource and the New London Conservation Commission, both of which have easements allowing them to use sections of the land that include parts of the trail.