Jane’s Walk Ottawa 2019

Jane’s Walk Ottawa is happening on Saturday, May 4 and Sunday May 5, 2019.

This wonderful annual series of urban and neighbourhood walking tours is a celebration of the built and natural environments and how residents shape those environments through their daily lives.

This year Jane’s Walk seems particularly poignant, as communities in Ottawa-Gatineau pull together to address flooding, both shaping and being shaped by the rivers, urban and rural landscapes and infrastructure, and weather.

If you can, check out some of the impressive walks this weekend—the Jane’s Walk Ottawa schedule includes more than 50. Walks are led by knowledgeable local residents, are held in English and/or French, and are free.

Here are some examples:

• Explore the life, heritage and revitalization of main streets in Stittsville, Vanier, St. Paul University area, Lower Bank St., Wellington Village and Manotick
• Reflect on the significance of skateboard parks in the urban landscape
• Consider urbanization/redevelopment in Little Italy, along the Trillium Line, in the Booth St. District, in Heron Park, and on LeBreton Flats
• Discover medicinal and edible plants in Riverain Park
• Sample local, organic food in Centretown
• Learn about initiatives to improve urban health and wellbeing in Woodpark, or make Ottawa accessible and inclusive
• Learn about challenges facing the sacred Indigenous site, Akikodjiwan/Asinabka, in the heart of Ottawa
• Spot little free libraries near Hampton Park
• Learn about tree species, biodiversity and experiences with protecting heritage trees in Carlington Park, the Glebe and Champlain Park
• Follow the life of a raindrop (and learn about rainwater management) near Westboro Beach
• See Ottawa through the eyes of people who are homeless
• View Lansdowne Park from an Indigenous perspective
• Walk to assess urban walkability, learn about paddling in LeBreton, or review cycling infrastructure in the city core
• Visit the multipurpose, community Just Food Farm, and the small but mighty Beetbox cooperative organic farm
• Take a green tour of the University of Ottawa, learn about creating bird-friendly buildings, or discover Makerspace North and the Ottawa Tool Library
• Learn about efforts to protect literary and natural heritage along the Poets’ Pathway, and to restore the unique Pinhey Sand Dunes
• Contemplate the Fletcher Wildlife Garden

There’s also a celebration to mark what would have been the 103rd birthday of Jane Jacobs, with a reading from Walking in the City with Jane by author Susan Hughes, colouring with Ottawa in Colour, games and cake, on Saturday, May 4, 4-7 p.m.; and a Jane’s Walk Wrap Party on Sunday, May 5.

Jane’s Walks celebrate, challenge and enlighten our perspectives on the city and the choices we make that influence it. Do check it out!

Consult the schedule of walks and interactive map on the Jane’s Walk Ottawa website.

Thoughts are with everyone continuing to deal with the flooding.