Jane’s Walk takes to streets and sidewalks of Windsor and Essex County
An annual festival celebrating walkable communities and neighbourhoods hits the streets this weekend and next at a time when the conversation about walkability and public safety are top of mind for many.
Jane Jacobs was a writer and activist whose main message was that cities are something for everybody, created by everybody.
And that’s what Jane’s walk is all about.
“They are walking tours and community events that all celebrate the idea of getting into the streets, knowing your neighbours, knowing your neighborhood and really experiencing the city and the region in a way that's a little bit different than the normal way,” said Sarah Morris, the event organizer.
Jane’s Walk has been taking place in Windsor since 2009 but is also a global phenomenon, with events taking place in more than 500 cities.
This year’s local event is spread over the next two weekends, this weekend in Essex County and next weekend in Windsor and Tecumseh.
“We have walks that are focused on history, the environment, architecture, art, so every time you're getting a different lens on a different place,” said Morris.
From Amherstburg to Kingsville and Sandwich Towne to downtown, one of the key principles of the event is getting out and walking the hood.
The Jane’s Walk Festival features guided walking tours. All walks take place, rain or shine and the online guide gives some insight into what each walk is about, how flat or hilly the walk is and some information about who is guiding the tour.
It’s also part of the city’s recent downtown revitalization plan: making people feel safe under one of Jacob’s key principles: the more people, the more eyeballs, the more crime deterrence.
“Having more people equals safety. Having that is part of what makes a healthy community,” said Morris.
The first Jane’s Walk events kick off Friday from noon to 1:00 p.m. in Leamington.
A complete schedule is available here.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Former homicide detective explains how police will investigate shooting outside Drake's Bridle Path mansion
Footage from dozens of security cameras in the area of Drake’s Bridle Path mansion could be the key to identifying the suspect responsible for shooting and seriously injuring a security guard outside the rapper’s sprawling home early Tuesday morning, a former Toronto homicide detective says.
Federal government grants B.C.'s request to recriminalize hard drugs in public spaces
The federal government is granting British Columbia's request to recriminalize hard drugs in public spaces, nearly two weeks after the province asked to end its pilot project early over concerns of public drug use.
Stormy Daniels describes meeting Trump during occasionally graphic testimony in hush money trial
Stormy Daniels took the witness stand Tuesday at Donald Trump's hush money trial, describing for jurors a sexual encounter the porn actor says she had with him in 2006 that resulted in her being paid off to keep silent during the presidential race 10 years later.
MPs agree Canadian gov't should improve new disability benefit
The federal government needs to safeguard the incoming Canada Disability Benefit from clawbacks and do more to ensure it actually meets the stated aim of lifting people living with disabilities out of poverty, MPs from all parties agree.
Bye-bye bag fee: Calgary repeals single-use bylaw
A Calgary bylaw requiring businesses to charge a minimum bag fee and only provide single-use items when requested has officially been tossed.
CFL suspends Argos QB Chad Kelly at least nine games following investigation
The CFL suspended Toronto Argonauts quarterback Chad Kelly for at least nine regular-season games Tuesday following its investigation into a lawsuit filed by a former strength-and-conditioning coach against both the player and club.
Boy Scouts of America changing name for first time in 114 years, aiming for inclusivity
The Boy Scouts of America is changing its name for the first time in its 114-year history and will become Scouting America. It's a significant shift as the organization emerges from bankruptcy following a flood of sexual abuse claims and seeks to focus on inclusion.
opinion Tom Mulcair: Trudeau's handling of Poilievre's 'wacko' House turfing a clear sign of Liberal desperation
When Speaker Greg Fergus tossed out Pierre Poilievre from the House last week, "those of us who have experience as parliamentarians simply couldn't believe our eyes," writes former NDP leader Tom Mulcair in his column for CTVNews.ca
New charges for Ont. woman who previously admitted to defrauding doulas
The Brantford, Ont. woman who was previously sentenced to house arrest after admitting to deceiving doulas has been charged again in connection to a new victim.