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Jane’s Walk 2023

Jane’s Walk 2023 – May 5th to May 27th

Jane’s Walk is an annual festival of free, community-led walking conversations inspired by Jane Jacobs. Now present in dozens of countries and hundreds of cities globally, the walks return to Barrie this May. Jane’s Walk festival encourages people to lead their own walks about their neighborhoods, discover unseen aspects of their own communities, and use walking as a way to connect with their neighbours.

Getting Real About Affordable Housing

Hosted by the Canadian Federation of University Women (CFUW) Barrie and District. “We will be considering the issue of affordable housing and discussing and observing one very practical solution that doesn’t get enough attention. We want to emphasize that this will not be an onerous walk, covering only a few blocks. This will be an opportunity to hear from thinkers in the area of affordable housing and have a walking conversation along the way.”

Date & Time

FRIDAY, MAY 5TH @ 10AM

Location

Dorion Parker Centre in Sunnidale Park

The Power of Public Art

Join local artist Monica Loney on a tour of the public art scene here in Downtown Barrie. As an advocate for accessible public art, come engage in conversation on its importance in uniting communities. Monica will begin her walk on Maple Ave, where she saw first hand the benefits of brightening up spaces while helping to paint the notable strawberry mural, Little by Little a Little Becomes a Lot. There is more than meets the eye along these city streets and alleyways. So come learn about the hidden gems and potential spaces for more public art!

Date & Time

SATURDAY, MAY 13TH @ 11AM

Location

Meet Monica at 54 Maple Avenue

Poetry in Motion

Join Ty the Poetess, Barrie’s Poet Laureate, for a walk downtown on the waterfront. Enjoy the beautiful boardwalk while creating poetry. Writing prompts will be given to inspire creativity. Bring a pen and a notepad and get ready to have fun, meet new people and enjoy the city of Barrie.

Date & Time

SATURDAY, MAY 20TH @ 2PM

Location

Meet Ty at the Spirit Catcher

A Victoria Day Walk Through True Crime in Downtown Barrie’s History

Out of the quietest of places, come stories that will surprise you. Take a walk with Mary Fletcher Harris from the Barrie Historical Archive and hear about people who found themselves on the wrong side of the law, and events that disrupted the calm of the peace-loving community of Barrie. It may be difficult to imagine today but Barrie was once called “the wickedest town in the Dominion”

Date & Time

MONDAY, MAY 22ND @ 10AM

Location

Meet Mary at Meridian Place

Trees, Bees and the Actual First Food for Pollinators

Take a walk through the Tall Trees Park, learn from the folks at Pollinate Barrie about the relationship between forests in suburbia, native pollinators, and our own gardens. Bring a black garbage bag and some gardening gloves to help the bees hands-on!

Date & Time

SATURDAY, MAY 27TH @ 10AM

Location

Meet Ashley by the Tall Trees Park sign on Springdale.

The Downtown Barrie BIA acknowledges that the Business Improvement Area is located on the traditional land of the Anishnaabeg people. The Anishnaabeg include the Odawa, Ojbwe and Pottawatomi nations, collectively known as the Three Fires Confederacy. The Downtown Barrie BIA is dedicated to honoring Indigenous history and culture and committed to moving forward in the spirit of reconciliation and respect with all First Nations, Métis and Inuit people.