New park feature helps connect people with lost loved ones in Niagara

A new device that could comfort those grieving the loss of a loved one has come to a Niagara-area park. 

Recently, Niagara Region Public Health said that a new wind phone has been installed in the Memorial Forest in the Glenridge Quarry Naturalization Site (1860 Sir Isaac Brock Way) in St. Catharines. 

The wind phone (or “phone of the wind”) was created in Japan by Sasaki Itaru. While grieving, he placed an unconnected phone in his yard to “speak” with lost loved ones. The symbolic action inspired a worldwide movement, and over 100 wind phones have been installed to provide people with a place to have one-way conversations with their loved ones who have died. 

Public health says a wind phone built and donated by Ray and Judy Fortier has been installed at the Memorial Forest and is located in a wooden box beside the pavilion. 

“A Wind Phone is for anyone who has lost someone special in their life. It provides a way to express feelings, share memories and say the goodbyes you never had the opportunity to say. The concept is simple, yet incredibly profound,” Hospice Niagara said in a statement. 

“While the actual phone is not connected to anything, it offers an opportunity for people who are grieving to talk with their special person — to say what they need to say, and release it to the wind.” 

Memorial Forest was opened in 2009 as a place for people to remember loved ones lost to mental illness. The forest also features an inscribed stone and plaques dedicated to people who struggled with mental health challenges.

The Memorial Forest is a five-to-10-minute walk along the stone path from the Glenridge Quarry parking lot. 

It is open year-round.