The Green Road at Walter Reed National Military Medical Center

About this Sacred Place

The Green Road was among Nature Sacred’s National Nature Sacred Award recipients. This space in particular is a first of its kind. Created from a forested piece of land bordering the military’s flagship hospital in Bethesda, MD, the purpose of The Green Road is to aid in the healing process of “wounded warriors” dealing with the invisible wounds of war.  

The lush space is marked by fallen trees, a creek, which was restored as part of the project, and paved trails that were laid inconspicuously through the wooded space so that it would be accessible via wheelchair. The latter is a key feature as many of the soldiers residing in the area’s long-term living units are amputees facing long, painful recoveries.

A bench, with a Sacred Place yellow journal tucked beneath, stands beside the creek.

Open since 2016, The Green Road, like all National Nature Sacred award sites, is also a research site. Multiple studies are underway to better understand the role nature can play in helping treat conditions like PTSD and traumatic brain injury.