Ottawa steps out for Jane’s Walk tours across the capital

‘Jane’s Walk’ in the capital region is giving people a look through the rich history of Ottawa and Gatineau. CTV’s Camille Wilson has more.

Jane’s Walk was held in the capital region this weekend, giving people a unique chance to learn about Ottawa’s rich history.

This year’s theme, Walk the Story, had a look at how the capital’s streets became a storybook and an invitation to explore the past, present and future of the city.

The annual walking tour is named after Jane Jacobs, a Canadian-American author, activist and urbanist who changed the way modern cities are planned and designed.

“Jane’s Walk is a festival of walking tours that encourages people to get out and hit the streets in honour of Jane Jacobs. It’s really more of a walking conversation. It’s an opportunity for neighbours to connect with each other, for people to share expertise that they have from living in the city,” said Laura Mueller, co-organizer of Jane’s Walk.

Barry Padolsky, an architect, urban designer and heritage consultant, led the ByWard Market walk. He says conversations are about reviving the market to make it better.

“Next year is the 200th anniversary of the ByWard market. It’s about learning about the history of the market but also looking towards the future and the city’s plans,” Padolsky said.

With not much personal time to explore on their own, friends Sheri Arnott and Connie Brian joined the ByWard Market walking tour to learn more about the community.

“I find Ottawa quite interesting. I’ve worked for a long time, and I just haven’t had the time to do these kinds of walks. The ByWard market I’ve come to for years, but I don’t really know the history of it. It’s a centre of Ottawa and has a long history,” says Arnott.

Brian and Arnott have participated in past Jane Walks over the years.

“The ByWard market is an area you hear so much about and it’s not an area I come to much anymore. I wanted to learn more about the history about it, see also the future, what their plans are because it’s changing so much,” Brian said.

While on the walk, Arnott ran into an old friend that she lost touch who was also participating in the tour

“It’s kind of symbolic in terms of the ByWard Market being a gathering place and then suddenly, I run into an old friend who I’ve always really liked but just lost track of over the years,” said Arnott.

Jane’s Walk began in 2007 in Toronto. It’s spread to about 70 countries and hundreds of cities across the world. This year, about 55 walks are taking place in the Ottawa-Gatineau region.

In her honour, the walk is put together on this weekend, which marks her birthday.

In Ottawa’s Chinatown, walking leader Don Kwan took a group through the history, design and culture of Chinatown.

“I have very deep roots in Ottawa’s Chinatown being born and raised here. My family immigrated in the 1920s. I have very tangible links to Canada’s past. I love doing these tours,” Kwan said.

It’s a walk to remember for participant Chris Schaller.

“I do have sort of a fond memory of when I was in high school, we did a field trip here. We did an urban study where we walked the length of Somerset Street. I have this memory from like 40 years ago of walking Somerset Street, so this is revisiting that Somerset adventure,” said Schaller.

Schlaller has done many Jane Walks over the years and says it’s his opportunity to get to know the richness of the neighbourhood he once scratched the surface of.

“We don’t get over here very often. We live in the east end and we like Chinatown. We’ve come and eat here a couple of times but we don’t know much about it or about the history. We wanted to learn a little bit more,” said Scahaller.

Jane Jacobs lived in both New York City and Toronto. She was instrumental in shifting the idea of how people think about urban planning and how cities are designed.

“She really changed how we approach the way cities are planned from the perspective of people who live there and people who have the lived expertise of understanding how the city works for them as people who inhabit it,” Mueller said.

Jane’s Walk continues until Sunday.

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