Doors Open May 24th and 25th

Well, I hope you got out this lovely past weekend and participated in a Jane's Walk! DH

and I joined The Steps of Old Lake Iroquois yesterday and thoroughly enjoyed it. The pic is of the pond in Wychwood Park, a privately owned community on our doorstep and a bucolic oasis surrounded by bustling city.
I'm mentioning it because Doors Open looms May 24th/25th, so if you missed Jane's Walk, perhaps you can plan to explore some of Toronto's more iconic buildings that weekend.
Two buildings in our area will be open for touring: the Bloor HotDocs Cinema and the Chapel of St. Alban the Martyr at Royal St. George's College.
Cheers,
Vanessa

Get Out And Walk and Learn

Better get your runners dusted off: not only are Jane's Walks scheduled for this weekend, but free-of-charge ROMWalks kick off today and a tour of The Annex is on the agenda for May 19th.
Happy hoofing!
Vanessa

Jane's Walk May 3, 4 and 5

Maybe because it snowed recently and I associate Jane's Walk with mid-Spring in Toronto, but I'm a bit taken aback to discover that the walks take place in less than two weeks.
In our area, Jane's Walk features guided walking tours close by, but none in our area (!) so far. Which, as you know, is Jane Jacobs' area, for whom the walks are named. (They are lead by volunteers, so... any volunteers out there?)
Close by, you can tour Harbord Village East and discover the ghost stories of U of T.
Mark your calendars and get your walking shoes ready!
Cheers,
Vanessa

Jane's Walk Volunteers Needed

I hope, by now, that you know all about Jane's Walk, named after Annex resident Jane Jacobs. This year it takes place May 5th and 6th and volunteers are needed.

Here's the scoop from the website:
"WE NEED VOLUNTEERS
Please let us know if you can take a few pictures, help people cross the road and pass around our sign-up sheets on a walk or two during the weekend. We need your help! Email us at volunteer@janeswalk.net."

The walks that are set to go already look very intriguing and I'm sure even more will come online as the day draws near.

Happy walking!
Vanessa

West Annex News Jane's Walk Laneway Tour

This year's Jane's Walk takes place May 7th and 8th and, once again, the West Annex News is providing directions for a self-guided walk.
The lanes and alleys of the Annex are the topic of the tour, an intriguing subject. Sometimes the back alleys in neighbourhoods seem like a parallel universe, one that's more utilitarian and a little darker -- there's no "Sunday best" there, just sheer functionality.
But then they get gussied up with street art, a reminder that some people prefer to hang where they are fewer eyes on them. And it always reminds me of this lyric: And the words of the prophets are written on the subway walls.
Happy walking!
Vanessa

Jane's Walk Volunteers Needed

Some ideas get thrown out into the world and are immediately picked up with enthusiasm. Recent examples that come to mind are as small as local hangout Snakes and Lattes and as big as Earth Hour, which is international.

Jane's Walk comes to mind when I think of instant successes. Named after liveable-cities guru Jane Jacobs, who resided in our area, the guided walks get people out into city neighbourhoods to explore, connect and learn.

The walks will take place May 7 and 8 this year and volunteer guides are wanted.
Cheers,

Vanessa

Jane's Walk Audio Tour of The Annex

Who else is loving these bright, sunny weekends bookending rainy, gloomy weeks? Let's stop to say a small word of thanks to the Weather Gods.

I was just thinking this a.m. that this is perfect gardening, cycling and walking weather when, lo and behold, I heard about a self-guided audio tour of The Annex.
It's a collaboration between the City of Toronto – Office of the Public Realm, CBC/Radio Canada and Jane’s Walk.

Happy hoofing,

Vanessa

May 1 and 2nd Jane's Walk

Named after Annex resident Jane Jacobs, Jane's Walk is a weekend devoted to guided and self-guided tours of T.O. It started in 2007 and quickly has grown, both in scope and to include additional cities.

It takes place on May 1 and 2 and I'm telling you early this year because some of the walks require pre-registration.

There is a tour of The Annex this year called Annex Introduction that will include a stroll down the street where Jacobs lived, which seems fitting.

Happy exploring!
Vanessa