Starting in the morning at the Stratford Public Library, participants of this year’s Jane’s Walk will tour the Festival City and learn about the city’s health
Those wanting to get their steps in and learn more about local issues can kill two birds with one stone this weekend.
The Provocation Ideas Festival (PIF) Stratford, announced that this year’s “Jane’s Walk” is kicking off this Saturday in the Festival City.
Jane’s Walk is an annual festival of community-led walking conversations that take place nationwide. They are dedicated to the memory of the late Jane Jacobs, a Canadian journalist, author, theorist and activist. The walks are tours for locals to observe, reflect, share, question, and imagine the places they live.
In Stratford, they are partnering with PIF this year for the event.
Ron Dodson, organizer for this year’s Jane’s Walk, told Stratford Today that the partnership with PIF just made sense.
“The Toronto version of the festival was very successful last year, which included a Jane’s Walk,” Dodson explained. “The idea was to move the festival out of Toronto into other areas, each with their own steering committees, structures, issues.”
PIF is a new festival that emerged from the pandemic in Toronto. It is aimed to be a public square of spirited discussion, debate and exploration. As Dodson said, it is topically aligned with Jane’s Walk.
“The Jane’s Walk provided exactly the vehicle that (PIF) wants to use to engage the citizens of Stratford.”
This year’s theme is “Is Stratford a Healthy City?” Under that umbrella, four well-known community members are taking part, asking participants to consider several local issues and possible solutions across the city.
The Walk starts at 9:30 am in front of the Stratford Public Library. Ryan Erb, executive director of Stratford’s United Way, will speak on affordability and homelessness.
Afterwards, at the Stratford Pride Community Centre, SPCC president Bruce Skeaff will speak about equity, diversity, and inclusion. Organizers note that this stop of the walk involves a flight of stairs, but there is an elevator.
Then, at the bus terminal on Downie Street, former City Councilor Kathy Vassilakos will promote a discussion about active transportation in Stratford.
Finally, at the Bru Garden, community activist Sammie Orr will focus on Stratford’s environmental footprint. Local musician Dan Stacey will perform, from 11:30 am to 12:30 pm
Walkers are encouraged to stay and enjoy lunch and a drink, sit in the sunshine and continue the conversation.
Dodson is encouraging those interested to register before hand, but noted that people can show up and join on the day.