While it’s become a popular local trail for nature enthusiasts, Oxford’s Bunny Trail has a lot more to offer, with a kind of “rock art” that puts a smile on your face.
The Oxford duo of Allie Clarke and Maxine Dobson-Clarke, stewards of the Bunny Trail, often post photos of the painted rocks that trail users leave along the path, for the enjoyment of others. Some depict the eponymous bunny, others are messages of love or remembrance, inspiration and encouragement, some are poetry… and all come together to provide a unique and continually-changing experience.
Beyond helping to maintain the trail, Maxine also adds to the variety of rock art. She says, “I paint mine at night when I can’t sleep. I’ll paint the basic backgrounds and because I work nights I often find I can’t sleep, so instead of tossing and turning for hours I just come downstairs and paint rocks.”
All art galleries rotate the works on display… on the Bunny Trail, that changing of the rocks occurs in ways that are harmless (folks see a rock that they like and walk away with it), to the less-pleasant vandalism that sees malcontents throw the rocks further into the woods off the trail, or into the river. While it’s disheartening when that happens (especially to the kids who have placed their rocks on the trail and look forward to seeing them on their next visit), the community seems to be committed to replace them quickly.
Some of the rock art installations are interactive. Maxine says “Rocky the rock snake” is one example. It was placed last year, with an accompanying sign that invites visitors to add their rock to extend Rocky’s tail.
The variety of rock art is impressive. Maxine highlights some mandala designs added by Paula Godfrey, and paintings of rock-bunnies by local artist and teacher Louise Cloutier. There’s a “charm tree” as well, created by Lyndsey Hurley, with bracelets and necklaces for visitors to take and/or add to.
Maxine says this year the have a new display planned once the Spring thaw commences, using driftwood as a base for a rock art installation.
She notes that the community has given so much to the Bunny Trail, from rock to walking sticks, to larger projects such as benches for weary hikers to take a load off. As more people contribute to the trail experience, they come to have a sense of ownership, and care about the state of the trail.
In 2023, Allie & Maxine received the “Built Environment Award” from Recreation Nova Scotia for their stewardship of Oxford’s Bunny Trail.
Where is the trail in Oxford?
Scroll to the bottom of the page, and you’ll see the map. The Bunny Trail is outlined in red. It branches off the old rail line, long since torn up, that runs along Station Street on Oxford’s south side. Look for the gazebo at the trail head, park, and head S-W. Enjoy!