Tours of city offering stories and insights
Jane’s Walks are set to return this weekend in Calgary, giving residents a chance to enjoy the outdoors amid some warmer weather, while learning more about various communities across the city.
Jane’s Walks are free, locally led walking tours inspired by urban activist Jane Jacobs, which encourage people to gather to explore, talk about and celebrate their neighbourhoods.
“I see them as this great invitation from someone who knows a neighbourhood well, and has some great stories and insights about it that you don’t exactly get at any other time,” said Julie Black, a citizen engagement associate for the Calgary Foundation. “It’s like being a tourist in your own town, plus the message of the walks are really about what people can do to make their communities better.”
Here are five new walks, among about 80 others, that Calgarians can take part in throughout the weekend:
1.
Who are the wild neighbours in city parks?
This walk goes Friday at 10:30 a.m., in the southwest North Weaselhead Park. Led by naturalist Julie Walker, this “interpretive nature walk” brings “your imagination and creativity to the exploration of wildlife homes, why they choose the trees and plants they do.” It explores the many signs of food, shelter and building materials that wildlife find in Calgary’s wildland parks.
2.
An evening stroll through the generations of CKE
On Friday evening, Calgarians can take a stroll through the combined neighbourhood of Chinook Park-Kelvin Grove-Eagle Ridge starting at 6:30 p.m., hosted by neighbourhood residents Sonja Johnson and Chris Doyle. The community was once home to a racetrack and polo club, as well as famous intellectuals and politicians. The walk teaches “important links between these neighbourhoods and the history of Calgary” while also featuring views of midcentury modern architecture in the city. The walk begins at 1015 73rd Ave. S.W.
3.
A neighbourhood walk with a couple of transportation engineers
Saturday at 10 a.m., two “engineers-in-training” explore different modes of transportation in Calgary and what it means to get around. Lynn Machacek and Kaitlynn Livingstone show you why your travel patterns matter and what it takes to have the city built for walking, biking, buses and cars. The walk starts at Courthouse Park beside the 4th Street CTrain Station.
4.
Mighty Road, Mighty River, Mighty Memory
Later on Saturday, an afternoon walk beginning at 12:15 p.m. explores how Memorial Drive has been redesigned to serve as a marker of memory for people lost in war. “Memorial Drive is one of those drives we just whip down. You’re just going from A to B, but there’s actually a lovely walk to be had,” said Black. Led by Joey Stewart, the walk starts at Poppy Plaza — 1111 Memorial Dr. N.W. — and invites Calgarians “to tell their stories of this iconic memorial that looms large along the Bow River.”
5.
Poetry in the Park
Led by local poet Juleta SeversonBaker, this walk along the south side of Glenmore Park starts at 9:45 a.m. on Sunday. The park served as inspiration for many poems written by Severson-Baker, who grew up within walking distance in Oakridge. She’ll treat fellow walkers to some of her writing, as well as techniques for journaling and writing poetry. Those taking part are encouraged to bring a notebook and pen. The walk starts at the entrance to the children’s splash park.