A sprig of rosemary, the official herb of Gahanna, will be a symbol to residents and visitors that they are on the Herbal Trail.

Karen Eylon, executive director of the Gahanna Convention & Visitors Bureau, announced the Herbal Trail partnership initiative during an April 5 annual meeting.

“The Herbal Trail is a way for us to create a new product without bricks and mortar,” she said. “The Herbal Trail is all about partnership and working together.”

She said May 12 is the soft launch of the trail that involves culinary, gardening, shopping, wellness and environment-friendly points of interest throughout Gahanna.

A QR code has been created to designate the Herbal Trail on mobile devices as a quick way for visitors to find their way around the community when they visit.

“We’ll use that as part of our platform for the Herbal Trail,” Eylon said.

The code will allow customers — and potential customers — to instantly learn more about a business and other partners on the Herbal Trail.

Eylon said she had reached out Gahanna restaurant chefs a year ago as a way to add the culinary component.

Signature herbal dishes and offerings will be identified with the Herbal Trail logo so visitors could taste their way along the trail, Eylon said.

Thus far, at least 18 restaurants and eateries plan to participate in the herbal culinary lineup.

The gardening component of the Herbal Trail will showcase Gahanna gardens, including the Geroux Herb Garden, Goosefoot Garden at Creekside, Gahanna Historical Society Settlement Goosefoot Garden, Friendship Park Community and Herb Gardens.

Visitors will be able to view garden markers, providing additional information for varying levels of interest and knowledge.

The wellness part of the herbal journey will feature opportunities to learn about ways to rejuvenate, including a cup of herbal tea, an herbal massage and the healing benefits of herbal chocolates, to name a few.

Eylon said Gahanna’s herb center, 110 Mill St., is the anchor for the Herbal Trail.

The GCVB is receiving support for the Herbal Trail through Chase and 200Columbus, the nonprofit bicentennial organization preparing for Columbus’ bicentennial celebration. “We’re excited where the Herbal Trail is taking us,” Eylon said. “We’re connecting the dots with culinary and other areas of interest.”

Eylon said any business wanting to participate should call her at 614-418-9114.

This year marks the 40th anniversary of Gahanna being designated as the Herb Capital of Ohio. Jane “Bunnie” Geroux led that effort and later founded the Ohio Herb Education Center. The center provides diverse herbal education programs, events and products. It’s open from noon to 6 p.m. Wednesdays through Fridays, from noon to 4 p.m. Saturdays and by appointment Sundays, Mondays and Tuesdays.