Around LakeEtowah, AdventHealth staff, patients, and community members in Tavares will have access to AdventHealth Waterman’s campus that extends beyond blank hospital rooms. A new project is coming to light: the Wellness Trail. This project was brought about to bring AdventHealth’s mission of getting people to “Feel Whole” into nature and connect with their community.

“This trail is going to be a very important piece of the hospital’s campus because it will showcase the importance AdventHealth places on promoting wholeness, including physical health and creating community,” says Mabel Valdivia, the executive director of the AdventHealth Waterman Foundation.

The Wellness Trail is directly funded and led by Executive Director Mabel Valdivia, through donor support, fundraising galas, and community partnerships.

Construction is currently underway.

The complete trail will be found around Lake Etowah, complete with lighting, music, Wi-Fi, parking at the trailhead, and informational signage. Within the next 5 years, the opening of designated seating areas, a playground — including equipment accessible for children with mobility issues, an amphitheater, and an outdoor workout station, will occur.

Eventually, the trail will connect to Lake County’s larger trail system.

“The main walking trail alone will promote the community to get at least 30 minutes of exercise a day, even if it is a simple walk around in nature,” Valdivia says.

To date, the Foundation has raised over $2 million for phase one, while the full project is estimated to cost $16M for the benefit of the Tavares community. Local businesses and friends of the foundation have contributed funds to ensure this project is successfully launched.

Under Valdivia’s leadership over the past four years, the foundation has been able to grow from a 32 million dollar to a 46 million dollar revenue-generating entity. AdventHealth, headquartered in Florida, is a multi-state faith-based healthcare network. With over 93,000 staff members and 50 campuses, the biggest ones found in East Florida, the Waterman campus continues to promote well-being for all with support from their growing foundation.

As the project evolves, the Wellness Trail will continue to represent more than a new addition to the hospital’s campus. It is an investment in the future health of Tavares, creating a space where staff members, patients, and community members can co-exist, form connections, and get involved in physical exercise while reconnecting with nature.

The second a foot hits the trail, a new era of wellness and community will spark in the town of Tavares.