Explore your city’s “third places” with 40+ free walking tours
What connects us beyond home and work? Where do we gather, share stories, and build community? This year’s Jane’s Walk Ottawa-Gatineau invites you to explore the power of third places — the parks, libraries, cafés, and community spaces that foster a sense of belonging and encourage spontaneous interactions.
On May 3 and 4, join neighbours across Ottawa and Gatineau for a weekend of free, locally-led walking tours that celebrate the people, places, and ideas that shape our city. From hidden histories to public art, neighbourhood design to natural landscapes, Jane’s Walks offers something for everyone — all you need is curiosity and a pair of comfortable shoes.
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Jane’s Walks are named for Jane Jacobs (1916-2006), an urbanist and activist whose writings championed a fresh, community-based approach to understanding, organizing, designing, and building cities. Jacobs saw cities as ecosystems with their own dynamics that would evolve over time according to how they were used. She wrote eloquently in her best selling books about sidewalks, parks, retail design, and self-organization. She promoted higher densities, short blocks, local economies, and mixed uses, all concepts that we are still developing and discussing in Ottawa today. Jacobs encouraged people to familiarize themselves with the places they spend their time and to understand how they work and how they support the people that live in them.
Every spring, the free Jane’s Walk Festival invites citizens to explore their communities on foot, asking questions and learning more about the places they live, work and relax in, lead by passionate and knowledgable locals.
Follow the walker flag! Janes Walks photo provided.
Long-time Jane’s Walk leader Dennis Van Staalduinen sees the walks as an opportunity to be curious, and do extensive research himself, finding details about Ottawa’s history that can be viewed through a compelling modern lens. This year, he is exploring the relationship between Canada and the United States, and how shifts in that relationship over the last 200 years have shaped our cityscape, including trade agreements, commerce, and international conflict.
“The lumber industry is what Ottawa was built on, and at the end of the 19th Century, 80 per cent of Canada’s lumber was bound for England. In under a decade, that 80 per cent was being sold instead to the United States because of a trade agreement […] That had an impact on Ottawa’s economy and infrastructure, absolutely.”
Van Staalduinen is a passionate supported of Jane’s Walks, and with his professional history leading the Wellington West BIA, he understands the importance of community engagement:
There is just something about experiencing our city streets, monuments, and landscapes on foot, at human speed. Taking the time to see connections, and the human element of how our neighbourhoods were built, and why. You see things on these walks that you may not see otherwise.
Walks are typically a kilometre or two and last about 60 to 90 minutes. They are led by volunteers — residents, historians, and advocates — who share their insights, passions, and stories. All walks are free and there are walks offered in English and French. This year’s tour lineup is expected to offer more than 40 different walks, including:
- A personal tour of Ottawa’s Chinatown by artist Don Kwan
- An exploration of how bridges in Overbrook created community connections
- A walk through history retelling how our city grew from a small military garrison to a lumber town to a G7 capital
- A journey along the lost but not forgotten Greenboro busway
- A milestone victory in community organization on the Gatineau Waterfront
Jane’s Walk. Photo Provided
First time walk leader Janice Ashworth sees Jane’s Walks as a great opportunity to learn, and share knowledge about Ottawa’s plant life, and communities.
“Last year I loved the Green Home tour, and the Edible and Medicinal Plants tour,” she says.
Offered in both French and English, she is offering a walk of the new urban agricultural venture at historic Moore’s Farm in Gatineau.
Veggie Collective is a start up community farm, using modern organizational methods to grow fresh, local produce in the urban centre. The walk will explore the difference between a Community Farm and a Community Garden, and introduce walkers to a new way to help grow their own food. The walking festival is an opportunity to share her vast knowledge on the subject.
I love going on Jane’s Walks, and learning more about the environment around me. A friend of mine suggested that I offer a walk on the new farm, to introduce people to the idea of community farming, and this new venture that is just starting.
Whether you are interested in history, green spaces, art, politics, advocacy, or just having an interesting wander to learn new things, there is something for you on a Jane’s Walk. Registration for walkers is open now, and new walks are still being added to the website.
Some walks have a capacity limit, so be sure to register early for the walks that interest you! Wear your sunscreen and comfortable shoes, and be prepared to go in all weather.
Sign up for a walk or volunteer as a marshal at janeswalkottawa.ca and follow @JanesWalkOttawa on Facebook, Instagram, and Bluesky for updates.
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