Jane’s Walk festival returns after COVID-19 pandemic hiatus
Posted May 5, 2022 11:27 pm.
Last Updated May 6, 2022 9:02 am.
A festival of free, community-led walking tours is coming back after a long pandemic hiatus. The three-day Jane’s Walk festival kicks off Friday.
The event is held in memory of the late activist and urbanist Jane Jacobs, often called the mother of Vancouverism.
“Yeah, in terms of density done right [she was],” says Jel Kocmaruk with Jane’s Walks Vancouver. “[And] in terms of making sure that there’s a lot of different primary uses as well as density in the same spot.”
“I think in terms of why the festival exists in her legacy is getting people to be activated around exploring our neighborhoods, and using both their personal lived experience as well as their professional experience to lead others through their neighborhoods,” Kocmaruk explains.
Related article: A new guidebook gets to the ‘heart’ of Vancouver’s historic Mount Pleasant neighbourhood
The 2022 edition offers a mix of both in-person and virtual programming.
“This year, we’re offering three different kinds of walks,” explains organizer Xerxes Au. “So, we’re offering a general walk, as usual, and a reduced risk walk where we cap the participants and strongly encourage masking. And virtual walks so people can go from the comfort of their home and see a neighbourhood that way.”
WALK FEATURE: join @senaqwilawyss this Saturday at 12:30 pm as she discusses not only ethical foraging and sourcing, but also the importance of community gardening spaces, as ways to lessen our impact on the ecosystem. https://t.co/l5IQ1qnY2k
— Jane's Walk Vancouver (@JanesWalkVan) May 5, 2022
Au says it’s great to be back for the first time since the pandemic.
“I’m also just really excited to see people again after the pandemic and just talk about these urbanism issues. So, it’s nice to explore new places in your neighbourhood you never get to see. It’s nice to bring that back.”
The walks include Explore Mole Hill, the Mount Pleasant Missing Middle Tour, and What a Difference a Tree Makes which looks at the urban forest of Vancouver’s West End. All walks are free but you must register online.
