Finding joy on Ruby’s Trail
Marty Murphy and Wanda Gates-Murphy decorate a tree along Ruby’s Trail
On a cold November afternoon, Marty Murphy and Wanda Gates-Murphy wind colourful lights around a small balsam fir tree. Shiny ornaments sit in a bright red basket, ready to be hung. Wanda has already decorated around the base of a nearby sign welcoming visitors to Ruby’s Trail with festive boughs, branches and berries.
The New Ross couple has just finished harvest at their Christmas tree farm on Porcupine Hill. Today they’re decorating at Ruby’s Trail to prepare for the village’s annual Christmas Festival. More than that, though, their special touches of cheer are part of an ongoing tribute of love and a gift of gratitude.
“Ruby’s Trail has been our answer to dealing with grief,” says Marty. In May 2017, their eight-month-old grandchild Ruby Webber died from a rare and incurable neurological disorder. Most of Ruby’s short life was spent with her parents at the IWK Health Centre.
Throughout that painful time, Marty says, he found purpose in sharing updates about Ruby with the community.
“Of course, grief never ends – it just changes in form,” Marty says. “But after we went through that intense period and collected our thoughts, a couple of things occurred to us.”
He and Wanda had been deeply moved by the incredible amount of support given to them. Marty suggested to Wanda that one way they could honour Ruby and thank the community would be to create a trail system for all to enjoy on their Christmas tree farm.
“We didn’t know it at the time but a trail group had recently created a society in our community, and they were looking for places to make trails.”
In spring 2018, members of the New Ross Trails Society walked with Marty to see the parts of Porcupine Hill he had in mind. It was a natural fit.
“One of the places we showed them with the nicest viewpoint on the whole property, I said, ‘We’ll call this Ruby’s Spot,’ and that name stuck,” he says. Excavators were on site that fall, and the trail opened in 2019.
Ruby’s Trail has continued to grow and evolve since that time. Wanda’s creativity and love for Ruby has led to Ruby’s Travelling Rocks, the Little Ladybug Library, beautiful gardens, birdhouses, a wishing well, Twig’s Chalet and more. Provincial and community grants have supported upgrades and a summer maintenance position. An annual Mobility Day celebration makes sure the trails are open to everyone.
To Marty and Wanda, the best part of this experience has been how Ruby has touched so many people’s hearts.
“It’s so meaningful that all of this came out of a life that only lasted eight months,” Marty says. “It’s a flame that’s hard to put out – it just keeps getting bigger.”
More than a peaceful path through the trees, Ruby’s Trail offers a healing and magical community space.
“Whether it’s the trail itself, a painted rock, Wanda taking time to talk to visitors when she’s there decorating a tree or me when I’m shearing Christmas trees, we’re there to uplift people – and they uplift us too,” Marty says. “It works both ways.”
One of many painted ladybug rocks on Ruby’s Trail.