CAUTION: This article includes discussion of suicidal thoughts.
Residents in Hamilton now have the opportunity to receive prescriptions for nature access.
The PaRx program, designed to allow healthcare professionals to prescribe nature passes to patients, has been launched for Hamilton Conservation Authority (HCA) sites.
Through this prescription, patients can obtain a 30-day membership pass granting them access to conservation areas.
Paul Stacho, a Stoney Creek resident, expressed how accessing conservation areas has significantly impacted his life. Overcoming financial obstacles to spending time outdoors can be transformative, according to Stacho, who credits nature with saving his life.
“In my case, [nature] saved my life,” he shared with CBC Hamilton.
Stacho began visiting HCA sites in the mid-90s following a serious workplace accident that led to chronic pain, insomnia, depression, respiratory issues, and thoughts of suicide.
Although Stacho did not have a nature prescription at that time, his doctors recommended engaging in activities he enjoyed from his homeland, formerly known as Slovakia, such as mountain hiking.
“I started to recover slowly and surely,” Stacho remarked. “I’m 71 years old and I’m looking forward to still living.”
Reducing Barriers for Enhanced Access
Any registered healthcare provider in Hamilton can sign up with PaRx to issue the prescription.
Once a patient receives the prescription, they are required to complete an online form on the HCA website. A $10 administrative fee is applicable, as indicated on the HCA website.
The passes vary, ranging from an annual parking pass priced around $130 to other rates.
The PaRx initiative was introduced by the BC Parks Foundation in 2020 with the goal of connecting individuals to nature while promoting conservation awareness.
Dr. Meghan Davis, practicing in Hamilton, highlighted the abundance of “incredible natural spaces” surrounding the city.
She stated, “Not every patient feels capable — or even authorized — to prioritize time in these spaces.”
“Eliminating the financial barrier with these passes significantly increases the likelihood that patients will visit and continue to do so,” she emphasized.
The program has established partnerships nationwide, including with Conservation Halton, Parks Canada, the Canadian Medical Association, and the Toronto and Region Conservation Authority.
It was launched in Halton towards the end of 2024. Dr. Stephen Chin, the former interim vice-president, noted that a 20-minute outdoor walk “can have a significant impact on our health.”
“In addition to the physical