Jane’s Walks see
rapid growth, new
topics to explore in
and around Calgary
By Robson FletcherMetro
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Taryl Grimshire / ContributedThis Jane’s Walk, a “History and Parkour Mash-Up,” was guided in 2013 by
Cynthia Klaassen and Steve Nagy.
Jane’s Walks in Calgary have grown from a small affair that began in 2008 with a half-dozen volunteers
leading conversational foot tours into an annual event that this year will include more than 50 free walks
throughout the city – and even a bit beyond.
“We’ve really grown,” said Julie Black of the Calgary Foundation, which puts on the local iteration of the
community-building phenomenon that began in Toronto in 2007 and has since spread to more than 130
cities worldwide.
“Calgary has responded so positively, both in terms of people volunteering to put on a walk … and in
terms of people coming to walk,” Black said.
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The idea is relatively simple: People knowledgeable about a particular aspect of a city’s history,
geography, or culture volunteer to act as guides for free walking tours where participants can learn about
those aspects, first-hand, while also asking questions and having conversations in a free-form manner.
“It’s not just about an expert pontificating,” Black said. “It’s more discovery-oriented than that.”
The first walk this year will also be the first of its kind for Calgary – a stroll through Glenbow Ranch
Provincial Park.
“We’re taking a walk along Yodel Loop,” said Susan de Caen of the Glenbow Ranch Park Foundation.
“It’s a great way to introduce people to the park, because from there, you get a really great view of the
Bow Valley.”
Other topics for Calgary Jane’s Walks this year include a look at the lives of coyotes in the city, a survey
of film and TV shooting locations over the past century, and a thorough exploration of the +15 walkway
network, just to name a few.
The full list can be found at janeswalk.org/Canada/Calgary.
The Jane’s Walk events are set for May 1-3.
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