By West Annex News | Still can’t believe Rob Ford’s our mayor? Harper’s majority got you blue? Here’s the antidote: Jane’s Walk, the annual celebration of the ideas and legacy of Jane Jacobs. Jane’s Walk has a simple goal: to get people out walking, exploring their neighbourhoods, and meeting their neighbours. It’s a reminder that cities are what real people–not politicians–make of them.
Since 2007, Jane’s Walk has taken place on the first weekend of May to coincide with Jane Jacobs’ May 4th birthday. This year there are more than 170 volunteer-led walks on offer in Toronto, the complete list of which is here. We list below a few of the walks in an around the West Annex. For more details about each walk, click on the web page image below the description.
Remember, all walks are free, and no reservation is necessary to take part. Just show up at the designated time, and join in.
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Self guided walks: download the instructions from the Jane’s Walk website, and take these tours any time:
“Lanes and alleys of the West Annex” including a graffiti alley walk, guided by us here at the West Annex News, starting from Bathurst Street subway station, 30 minutes duration.
Click on the image below for the map and step-by-step instructions, to bring them with you on the walk or to follow on your smart phone.
Jane Jacobs Audio Tour, guided by the voices of Jane Jacobs and friends, starting from Spadina subway station, 1 hours duration. Download the map and MP3 from the website by clicking on the image below.
10:30AM: Jane’s Club at UTS, a tour through parts of the Annex and U of T, guided by UTS students & teacher Josh Fullan, starting from the steps of University of Toronto School at 371 Bloor Street West, 1.5 hours duration.
4:00PM: Brunswick Avenue–Its Literary and Built Form guided by Mark Jull, starting from the north-west corner of Jean Sibelius Square, Brunswick Avenue and Bernard Avenue, 1.5 hours duration.
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Sunday, May 8
10:00AM: Creative reuses of old buildings for live performances guided by Janet Langdon, starting from Palmerston Library, 560 Palmerston Ave in Seaton Village, 1.5 hours duration.
10:00AM: Labour History Walking Tour guided by Maureen Hynes, starting from the front of the Steelworkers Hall, 25 Cecil Street, 2 hours duration.
11:00AM: A sense of Spadina guided by Ontario Jewish Archives starting from the steps of the Anshei Minsk Synagogue, 10 St. Andrew Street in Kensington Market. 1.5 hours duration.
