By Cecilia Nasmith/Today’s Northumberland
A chance to get to know your own community better comes with Jane’s Walk on May 6, Cobourg council heard Monday at its committee-of-the-whole meeting.
Dora Body addressed council to draw the event to their attention, offering everyone an invitation to come along.
The annual event honours Jane Jacobs, “a writer, urbanist and activist who channeled the voices of everyday people in neighbourhood planning and city building,” Body said.
She shared a quote from Jacobs – “Cities have the capability of providing something for everybody…only because…and only when…they are created by everybody.”
Jacobs moved from New York to Toronto in 1968, and died in 2006. The first walk was in 2007, described as a “festival of free community-led walking conversations” that encourages the sharing of stories about people’s communities, exploring of one’s cities and towns, and connecting with neighbours.
In 2022, there were 2,000 walks in 500 cities in 87 countries around the world – and that includes two in Cobourg. A morning walk showcased the history and delights of the Monk’s Cove neighbourhood, and an afternoon walk explored the evolution of the Brookside property. About 100 people in attended in all.
There will be four walks this year on May 6 – rain or shine – followed by a pub gathering where participants can share their experiences.
At 11 a.m., author and photographer John McQuarrie leads a walk exploring the history of the harbour and Victoria Park.
At 1 p.m., Sustainable Cobourg founder Gigi Ludorf-Weaver leads a Lessons in Sustainable Living in West Cobourg walk.
At 2 p.m., filmmaker Micol Marotti leads a Cobourg in Film and TV walk.
At 3:30 p.m. Body (Cobourg Ecology Gardeners Chair) leads a Down By The Boardwalk walk that includes the Ecology Garden, west beach and west headland.
At 5 p.m., participants are invited to a pub debrief at Taps and Corks.
Further information is on the Experience Cobourg Festivals page as well as the Jane’s Walk Cobourg Facebook page.
