tOPEN - No registration required - just show up for the walk as there is no limit to the number of participants 

Description: The topic of the walk will be on smaller, unseen treasures in the Dunbar neighbourhood. Starting with Stong’s Market to highlight local grocers in a time where grocery chains are becoming contentious, then moving to the Camosun Bog to focus on the abundant green spaces in an urban environment. The walk then heads through localized densification in Dunbar, and ends with Almond Park, which is incredibly scenic despite its smaller size. I want this walk to spark more curiosity about local amenities that may not be advertised or as well-known, but can serve as alternatives to the routine/monopolies we've been accustomed to.

What I love about Vancouver is the blending of urban amenities with natural landscapes. There’s so many special pockets of the city that allow you to reconnect with your landscape, while having world-class entertainment and arts tours come out here. What would make it better is having a lower cost of living so that more artists could afford to live here and create a prolific local scene. 

Walk Leader: Gustavo Villela

Starting place: 4221 Dunbar Street (Stong's Market)

Ending Location: Almond Park 

Duration: 60-70 min

How to recognize your walk leader(s): I will have a Living Streets signs and you will see Jane's Walk Organizers with Jane's Walk signs. 

Accessibility Info: Breaks offered along the way, Will use speakers/voice amplification (Walk Leader to provide), Loud noises, Family-friendly

Travel Tips: Take either the #7 or #25 bus, possible street parking 

Special Instructions: There will be a launch event after this walk at Zapoteca Restaurant, reservations for this are required as there will be limited seating. We will post the link here once the reservation is open for booking. Please note that food and drinks are not included, just the reservation for your seating. 

OPEN - No registration required - just show up for the walk as there is no limit to the number of participants 

Description: Past, present, and future of an historic and still vibrant fishing village.

Walk Leader: Sketching along the way. As an urban designer and artist living in Steveston, I’d like to focus on the physical structure, fishing industry history, and public art of Steveston.

Starting place: Gary Point Parking lot, in Steveston

Ending Location: Coffee shop on Number 2 Road near the Dyke Road

Duration: 90min

How to recognize your walk leader(s): Straw hat if it's sunny. 

Accessibility Info: Breaks offered along the way, Fast-paced, covering lots of ground, Pet-friendly

Travel Tips: 402 bus from Brighouse SkyTrain Station to the end of the route. Biking along Railway Avenue to Chatham Street, free parking at Garry Point Park.

***Special Instructions: Bring a sketchbook and pencil/pen!

OPEN - No registration required - just show up for the walk as there is no limit to the number of participants 

Description: Mole Hill is the oldest neighbourhood in Vancouver. The block was threatened with demolition 25 years ago but the people who lived here came together to form a non-profit society to preserve the heritage properties and create community assets such as daycares, social housing and communal gardens. We will explore the history of the community and tour the block.

Walk Leader: We are employees of Mole Hill Community Housing Society, Vancouver's oldest neighbourhood. 

Starting place: Mole Hill Community Room - at rear of 1157 Pendrell Street, Vancouver

Ending Location: Mole Hill Community Room - at rear of 1157 Pendrell Street, Vancouver (Same as starting place)

Duration: 60min

How to recognize your walk leader(s): We will have signage

Accessibility Info: Stairs, non-accessible curb cuts, or other barriers, Breaks offered along the way, Family-friendly, Wheelchair user-friendly, Bicycles.

Travel Tips: No parking. Closest bus stop is at Bute and Davie Street, route #6.

Special Instructions: We will tour the neighbourhood with approximately 7 stops.

*REGISTRATION REQUIRED - this walk is by registration only, please REGISTER HERE for this walk.

(if this walk is sold out, check out our other Sketching Walk, Steveston - Beyond Fish and Chips! also on Friday)

Description: During this walk, we will speak about drawing as a way of paying attention to our urban environment. And using art to indulge in our curiosities about cities, urban amenities, public spaces, and the people with whom we share these things.

Walk Leader: Nishant Jain "The Sneaky Artist" sketches in outdoor spaces with a single pen, making art of the city and public life. He will speak about the benefits of a sketchbook habit, and share some tricks for making drawings on the go.

Starting place: Entrance of Habitat Island Park

Ending Location: The walk will end at a Terra Breads outlet in Olympic Village Square.

Duration: 60min

How to recognize your walk leader(s): Nishant will be wearing a bright yellow jacket.

Accessibility Info: Breaks offered along the way, Family-friendly, Wheelchair user-friendly, Bicycles welcome.

Travel Tips: Street parking is available, and it is a short walk from the Olympic Village SkyTrain station, as well as from Science World.

***Special Instructions: Bring a sketchbook and pen!

*REGISTRATION REQUIRED - this walk is by registration only, please REGISTER HERE for this walk.

Description: Join us for an immersive journey through the rich tapestry of history, industry, and culture woven into the fabric of False Creek Flats in Vancouver. This Jane's Walk includes an online component and will also take you through six stations, each revealing a unique aspect of this dynamic urban landscape.

An online component by Robin A. Chang will introduce the participants to the history of the lands (see video link here). The on-site and walking dialogue will be led by Ned Jacobs, Louise Schwarz, Pooja Thatte and Liam Cormack.

Walk Leader(s):
Robin A. Chang, an urban researcher and instructor at the Chair of Planning Theory and Urban Development of RWTH Aachen University (GE), is a previous Vancouver resident. She brings insights from research, teaching, and learning about the sustainable adaptation of urban industrial lands in Germany and Canada to this walk. 

Ned Jacobs, a resident of Vancouver's Riley Park neighbourhood, grew up in the industrial/residential/commercial fringe of Greenwich Village. Many of his mother's teachings from the Death and Life of Great American Cities would help to further revitalize the Flats, including the need for primary mixed uses; the need for concentration; the need for aged buildings; the need for small blocks; the uses of neighbourhood parks; the curse of border vacuums; gradual money and cataclysmic money.    

Louise Schwarz, co-owner of Recycling Alternative, a local recycling collection and processing operation, Terraforma Systems and Regenerative Waste Labs, all 3 operations are located in the Flats. Louise has over 30 years in the recycling sector and is currently working with local green innovators to create Vancouver’s first Green Industrial Innovation District (the GrIIDTM), focusing on circular economy and inclusive, green employment.  

Pooja Thatte, an emerging urbanist, is currently pursuing a Masters of Urban Studies. A previous Masters degree in horticulture instilled in her a love for urban greenspaces that she is keen to further explore through research on intersecting themes of nature-based solutions, policy, and governance. Her biggest pride though is her curious and energetic two-year old daughter!

Liam Cormack is a graduate student in the Master of Urban Studies program at Simon Fraser University. His research focuses on the relationship between nature and memory, with his current project exploring how different forms of urban nature shape our perception of time and influence personal attachment to urban places and their histories. 

Starting place: Northeast corner of Terminal Avenue and Main Street at the Main Street-Science World Skytrain Station

Ending Location: 441 Industrial Ave, Vancouver, BC (see station 6 on the left map)

Duration: 90 minutes

How to recognize your walk leader(s): Jane's Walk bandana 

Accessibility Info: Uneven terrain, Stairs, non-accessible curb cuts, or other barriers, Busy sidewalks, Breaks offered along the way, Strong odours, Loud noises

Travel Tips:Skytrain is the fastest way to get to meeting point (Southeast Entrance of Main Street-Science World Skytrain Station. Along Terminal Avenue.)

photos by Robin A. Chang

OPEN - No registration required - just show up for the walk as there is no limit to the number of participants 

Description: In Canada more than half the food we produce is never eaten, and at least a third of that is perfectly good, edible food. Food waste is a huge driver of climate change. If food waste were a country, it would be the third largest greenhouse gas emitter in the world.

At the same time, 1 in 4 Canadian households are food insecure. But food insecurity is a result of poverty - not having the financial means to purchase the food you want and need to eat. So distributing surplus food addresses hunger, not food insecurity.

The concept of dignified food access is important. Everyone deserves to eat what they want to eat. Prioritizing choice, respect and empathy in food distribution programs is key.

This walk will cover a wide range of topics including food waste, food recovery, food insecurity and dignified food access. It will focus on Mount Pleasant and the community of like-minded groups working on these challenges, but will also discuss issues broadly in Vancouver and Canada.

Walk Leader(s): Carla Pellegrini and Candi Tladi, we are a few of the staff members at Food Stash Foundation, one of Vancouver’s largest food recovery charities. We spend our working hours collecting good, surplus food that otherwise would have been wasted, working with volunteers to diligently sort it, and running programs to distribute that food in dignified ways to our community. We are passionate about serving community, protecting our planet and building connections. 

Starting place: Mount Pleasant Community Fridge

Ending Location: Sole Food Street Farms

Duration: 90 minutes

How to recognize your walk leader(s): Food Stash t-shirts or sweatshirts.

Accessibility Info: Stairs, non-accessible curb cuts, or other barriers, busy sidewalks, breaks offered along the way, triggering content, loud noises, family-friendly, bicycles welcome, pet-friendly

Travel Tips: Parking in the area can be quite difficult. We encourage folks to bike, take transit, car-share or arrange for a drop-off and pick-up from the location. The community garden is conveniently located near the 1st Ave bike route, a few blocks away from Science World train station, and is accessible by many bus routes (#3; #84).

OPEN - No registration required - just show up for the walk as there is no limit to the number of participants 

Description: This walk explores the informal gaps or leftover spaces between buildings—unplanned voids that fall outside formal design. These spaces vary in privacy and ownership, and are often used creatively by locals. They redefine how we think about urban space and who it belongs to.

I love finding improvised design in Vancouver—the things no one planned. They reveal how people quietly shape the city around them. The city would be better if it embraced informal uses of space. These moments bring life, creativity, and human scale into rigid urban systems. Recognizing their value could lead to more inclusive and responsive design.

Walk Leader(s): Anastasia Simonovich - I am a recent UBC graduate with Bachelor of Design in Architecture, Landscape Architecture, and Urbanism. I enjoy exploring cities and hope to share some of my insights into liminal spaces of Vancouver.

Language: English/Belarusian

Starting place: Third Eye Martial Arts (1445 W 8th Ave, Vancouver, BC V6H 1C9)

Ending Location: Yew st @ W 4th Ave

Duration: 90-120 mins

How to recognize your walk leader(s): I will be wearing a green frog shaped bag!

Accessibility Info: Busy sidewalks, Loud noises, Some parts of the walk will take place in back lanes, some parts of the walk will go through narrow spaces, one gap will include stairs

OPEN - No registration required - just show up for the walk as there is no limit to the number of participants 

Description: This is a community walk around Walnut Grove, highlighting the greenways, school placement, parks and hidden alleyways. Come learn about this quaint Langley neighbourhood. 

Walk Leader: James Hansen -- I am kind of an urbanism nerd, lived in Langley for over a decade, want to share what I love about my area with others.

Starting place: West Langley Park

Duration: approx. 90 minutes

How to recognize your walk leader(s): Orange bandana

Accessibility Info: Breaks offered along the way, Fast-paced, covering lots of ground, Family-friendly

Travel Tips: Take Bus 561 from Carvolth Exchange

*REGISTRATION REQUIRED - this walk is by registration only, please REGISTER HERE for this walk.

Description: We walk through one of the older neighbourhoods in Vancouver where many of the home owners have eschewed the traditional monoculture lawn and have, instead, landscaped their property with perennials and annuals, as well as food items. Anyone looking to plant an alternative to lawn can find inspiration on our walk up Yukon.

Walk Leader: John and Judy -- Judy and I are both guides at VanDusen Botanical Garden. We have lived in our neighbourhood for 27 years. We learn new things about the area every year and share these things in our walks. 

Starting place: Community Garden on the north lawn of Vancouver City Hall

Ending Location: Mighty Oak coffee shop

Duration: 90 minutes

How to recognize your walk leader(s): Come to the community garden before 10:00 am

Accessibility Info: Stairs, non-accessible curb cuts, or other barriers, busy sidewalks, loud noises

Travel Tips: There is street parking along Yukon, some parking on Yukon at City Hall, some parking on Cambie at City Hall. You may have to hunt for it. Best is to come by transit.

*REGISTRATION REQUIRED - this walk is by registration only, please REGISTER HERE for this walk.

Description: The natural beauty of Trout Lake Park, to explore the urban oasis with old grown trees, wildlife habitat and the farmers market. There is everything to love in East Van, keeping the city clean and accessible will always make a better city and more happy people. 

Walk Leader: Beatrice Lai -- I am a retired Kitchen Designer and have lived in the Trout Lake neighbourhood for the last 15 years. I would like to share my knowledge of East Van and my appreciation of the diverse community with people joining the walk. 

Starting place: Upper level of Trout Lake Community Center

Ending Location: East end of the Trout Lake Farmers market.

Duration: 60 minutes

How to recognize your walk leader(s): orange walk leader bandana

Accessibility Info: Family-friendly, Wheelchair user-friendly, Pet-friendly

Travel Tips: Skytrain stops: Broadway/Commercial or Nanaimo. Bike and vehicle parking is available on Victoria Drive and Trout Lake Community Center. 

OPEN - No registration required - just show up for the walk as there is no limit to the number of participants 

Description: The theme of the tour will explore the natural beauty, rich history, and hidden gems of Queen Elizabeth Park, along with the vital role it plays in the city’s infrastructure. We’ll touch on topics such as nature, local history, city events, and even dive into a secret topic that you’ll have to join the tour to discover!

What I love most about Vancouver is how seamlessly the city blends urban development with nature. We have these amazing green spaces like Queen Elizabeth Park that provide a sense of tranquility and connection to the outdoors, right in the heart of the city. It’s a place where people can come together, unwind, and experience nature, regardless of the hustle and bustle of city life.

To make the city even better, I believe we could encourage more people to visit and engage with our parks and green spaces. Queen Elizabeth Park is an example of a place that offers not only stunning views but also a rich historical narrative that many people might not know about. By increasing awareness and making it easier for families to access and enjoy the park’s many facilities, we can create a stronger connection between our community and the natural environment.

The tour itself will last about 1.5 to 2 hours, guiding you along the park’s beautiful paths and trails. While we’ll be stepping onto grass and navigating some stairs and small inclines, the tour will be accessible to most. Whether rain or shine, we’ll explore both the popular spots and some hidden areas of Queen Elizabeth Park that are often overlooked. The goal is to help people see just how special this park is and inspire more families to make it a regular part of their visits.

Walk Leader: My name is Chris Penton, and I’m a Lead Ranger with 18 years of experience protecting Vancouver’s parks and natural spaces. With a background in teaching and biology, I’ve had the privilege of combining my passion for nature with my dedication to preserving the environment.  While most people are familiar with Stanley Park, I’m excited to share that Queen Elizabeth Park holds its own unique treasures and secrets. Beyond its beautiful landscapes, Queen Elizabeth Park plays a vital role in the infrastructure and planning of Vancouver, and I’m eager to shed light on its importance.  I have always been passionate about nature and the many ways it benefits both the body and the mind. It’s a pleasure for me to share my stories and insights, not only about the natural world but also about its rich history and the incredible sense of community that comes with it.  I'm looking forward to connecting with others and offering a fresh perspective on the wonders of our local parks.

Starting place: Queen Elizabeth Pitch n Putt Golf Course at the Canadian Flag Pole just outside the entrance to the golf course

Duration: 2 hours

How to recognize your walk leader(s): I will be in Full Park Ranger Uniform

Accessibility Info: Uneven terrain, stairs, non-accessible curb cuts, or other barriers, mud or poor drainage, family-friendly

Travel Tips: The park has paid parking. There are many bike locking options. Closest Skytrains are Canada Line at Oakridge or King Edward. 

OPEN - No registration required - just show up for the walk as there is no limit to the number of participants 

Description: This walk will explore how City of Vancouver and Vancouver Parks Board are using nature-based solutions to manage rainwater while enhancing green spaces around the city. We'll take a walk by a number of different greening projects, visiting a wetland at Gibby's Field, rain gardens at Woodland and 14th, and a blue-green system at Woodland and 2nd. Participants will learn how these sites are contributing to creating healthier waterways in Vancouver, enhancing ecological corridors in the city, and helping to mitigate impacts of climate change. 

Walk Leader: Julie McManus -- I am a project manager with the Green Infrastructure Implementation team at the City of Vancouver. I'm hoping to share information about our urban watersheds, have we've changed them over time through development, and how we're using natural solutions like rain gardens and wetlands to re-integrate the natural water cycle into our communities. 

Starting Place: Woodland and 2nd Blue-Green System

Ending Location: Clarke Park

Duration: 90 minutes

How to recognize your walk leader(s): Butterfly Hairband

Accessibility Info: Uneven terrain, Fast-paced, covering lots of ground, bicycles welcome

Travel Tips: Accessible from the Commercial Drive Skytrain station. 

Special Note: The City is hosting an event called the Seeding Stewardship Fair on May 3. This event is intended to showcase all the different stewardship opportunities available at the City. We'd like to end our walk at the Fair, and it would be optional for people to walk around and check out the opportunities. We think this event pairs well with the intention and theme behind Janes Walk

OPEN - No registration required - just show up for the walk as there is no limit to the number of participants 

Description: Hastings-Sunrise is currently experiencing steady construction—and with it, ongoing inconveniences, gentrification, and immense frustrations in the form of constant noise, gridlocked traffic, and unsafe conditions for walking or cycling. All the while, one is left wondering: what exactly is the role of the planner? Were there meaningful consultations, if any at all? One might ask: who is all this development really for? The renovictions, the traffic jams, the loss of north-south travel routes—not to mention, in sociological terms, the alienation and anomie.

This walk may lean more toward reflection and critical thought than traditional sightseeing, though basic observations will certainly still have a place. It will likely include excerpts from Jane Jacobs’ writings, particularly from her final book, Dark Age Ahead.

Walk Leader: Barry M and Rick R - Long-time urban minister; Central and East Vancouver

Starting Place: Longhouse Church, 2595 Franklin St., V5K1X5

Ending Location: Slocan and Hastings

Duration: 45 - 60 minutes

How to recognize your walk leader(s): Jane's Walk leader bandana 

Accessibility Info: Busy sidewalks, Breaks offered along the way, Loud noises, Bicycles welcome, Pet-friendly

Travel Tips: Parking available on street or in nearby public parking lot (no fees). 18 min bus ride from Nanaimo Station. 

OPEN - No registration required - just show up for the walk as there is no limit to the number of participants 

This walk is also being offered on Friday, at 2pm. 

Description: This walk explores the informal gaps or leftover spaces between buildings—unplanned voids that fall outside formal design. These spaces vary in privacy and ownership, and are often used creatively by locals. They redefine how we think about urban space and who it belongs to.

I love finding improvised design in Vancouver—the things no one planned. They reveal how people quietly shape the city around them. The city would be better if it embraced informal uses of space. These moments bring life, creativity, and human scale into rigid urban systems. Recognizing their value could lead to more inclusive and responsive design.

Walk Leader(s): Anastasia Simonovich - I am a recent UBC graduate with Bachelor of Design in Architecture, Landscape Architecture, and Urbanism. I enjoy exploring cities and hope to share some of my insights into liminal spaces of Vancouver.

Language: English/Belarusian

Starting place: Third Eye Martial Arts (1445 W 8th Ave, Vancouver, BC V6H 1C9)

Ending Location: Yew st @ W 4th Ave

Duration: 90-120 mins

How to recognize your walk leader(s): I will be wearing a green frog shaped bag!

Accessibility Info: Busy sidewalks, Loud noises, Some parts of the walk will take place in back lanes, some parts of the walk will go through narrow spaces, one gap will include stairs

OPEN - No registration required - just show up for the walk as there is no limit to the number of participants 

Description: Join us for our 2nd annual Jane's Walk in celebration of World Labyrinth Day with this special Saturday afternoon walk & sound bath at St. Paul’s Labyrinth, located at 1130 Jervis Street in Vancouver. Along with many people around the world, we will “Walk as One at 1” local time to join the rolling wave of peaceful energy passing from one time zone to the next!

Drop by for a bit to walk the labyrinth or stay for the whole time! The music will finish at 2pm to provide 30 minutes of time for silent walks. Children are welcome at this free event, and chairs are provided for those who prefer to enjoy the music seated.

For many, labyrinth walking is a way of centering themselves or of seeking insight during times of transition in their lives. The labyrinth is not a maze. There are no tricks to it and no dead ends. Walk at your own pace, releasing that which no longer serves you as you walk toward the centre and receiving whatever it is you need as you follow the same path out. Our indoor labyrinth is a full 13-metre replica of the medieval labyrinth laid in the stone floor of the 13th-century Cathédrale de Notre-Dame de Chartres in France.

Walk Leader: Laura is a Vancouver local and the resident musician at the St. Paul's West End Labyrinth.

Links: https://www.worldlabyrinthday.org/

Starting place: St. Paul's West End, 1130 Jervis Street, Vancouver, BC

Ending Location: Same as start location

Duration: On average, it takes less than 30 minutes to walk the labyrinth however walkers are welcome to stay for the full duration if they wish. 

How to recognize your walk leader(s): There will be a sandwich board sign outside the entrance to the labyrinth.

Accessibility Info: Stairs, non-accessible curb cuts, or other barriers. Breaks offered along the way, Family-friendly

Travel Tips: The closest bus stop is on Davie at Jervis on the 6 Davie / Downtown route. Meter parking is available on Davie Street for $1/hr and there is a paid lot at 1237 Davie Street. $5/hr or $13 all day. 

***Special Instructions: Shoes must be removed while walking the labyrinth. No food or drink other than bottled water is allowed in the labyrinth space. If accessed via the ramp to the church, there are 3 stairs to get to the labyrinth, and there is an accessible washroom. 

*REGISTRATION REQUIRED - this walk is by registration only, please REGISTER HERE for this walk. 

Description: A peaceful walking journey conversation through beautiful Rocky Point. With a guided authentic discussion about men’s mental health, confronting the stigma to vulnerability and societal views on mental well-being. The practice of regularly “checking in” on ourselves and those around us becomes a powerful act of compassion & providing support to those who may need help.

Walk Leader: Stanley Rashai is a passionate freelance Content Creator striving to capture unique, relatable moments in every image I take. He believes that to produce visuals that an audience can connect with, the centrepiece should be emotionally compelling and thought-provoking; whether that be to encourage the viewer to reminiscence on memories, reflect on current positions, or evoke visions of the future. 

Due to his own battle with Mental health and the loss of multiple loved ones in his life. Stanley began to focus his efforts on Men Mental health and become the voice of the voiceless. From his experience, he discovered that many men neglect to show their emotions and struggle to be vulnerable. Which is incredibly detrimental to a man’s mental health. After Losing multiple men in his life her decided to do something about it. This is how Men have feelings too was born. Men have feelings too is a platform for men is a safe space for men to show up as their true vulnerable authentic selves and be able to deal with the trauma and pressure society puts on them.

Starting place: Moody Centre Skytrain Station, Port Moody, BC

End Location: Same as start

Duration: approx. 45 minutes

How to recognize your walk leader(s): he will be wearing a bright yellow beanie

Accessibility Info: Uneven terrain, Family-friendly, Wheelchair user-friendly, Bicycles welcome, Pet-friendly

Travel Tips: Accessible via skytrain (transit) and parking is also available

Photo Credits: all photos are courtesy of Outlandish Visuals (by Stanley Rashai)

*REGISTRATION REQUIRED - this walk is by registration only, please REGISTER HERE for this walk.

Description: This walk will explore the Hogan's Alley neighborhood, the site of Vancouver's predominantly Black neighborhood whose residents were displaced by the construction of the Georgia & Dunnsmuir viaducts in the late 1900s. The walk will involve conversation about notable people, places, events, & more in the realm of Hogan's Alley & Black Strathcona.

Walk Leader: Djaka Blais (she/her) is a social sector leader with 21 years of experience in philanthropy, government, and community mobilizing. She is a change agent to shift power dynamics and remove oppressive structures within philanthropic and nonprofit organizations. Djaka is the inaugural Executive Director of Hogan’s Alley Society, a Vancouver-based non-profit focused on advancing the social, political, economic, and cultural well-being of people of African descent (Black People) through the delivery of inclusive housing, built spaces, and culturally informed programming. Djaka is a founding Director of the Foundation for Black Communities, the first philanthropic foundation for Black communities in Canada. She is a board member with Philanthropic Foundations Canada and a How Women Lead fellow in their first Black cohort. 

Starting place: Main St & Union St  

Ending Location: 

Duration: 60 minutes

How to recognize your walk leader(s): Hogan's Alley Society T-shirt and/or Walk leader bandana 

Accessibility Info: Busy sidewalks, Mud or poor drainage, Breaks offered along the way, Fast-paced, covering lots of ground, Triggering content, Strong odours, Loud noises, Family-friendly, Wheelchair user-friendly, Pet-friendly

Travel Tips: Just a few minutes walk from Main Street Science World Skytrain station. Minimal street parking.  

**Photo credits - Hogan's Alley Society Instagram

OPEN - No registration required - just show up for the walk as there is no limit to the number of participants

Description: We will explore East Van from the perspective of a new parent. Together we will discover the built environment, urban design, and amenities that make East Van good (or not so good) for young families.  

Walk Leader: Erin is a local city planner with over 10 years experience in regional, local, and transportation planning. She's also a new parent. 

Starting place: Outside the Britannia Library 

Ending Location: McSpadden Park 

Duration: 60 minutes

How to recognize your walk leader(s): Erin will have a RED stroller and a lime green umbrella. She'll be waiting outside the Britannia Library 

Accessibility Info: Uneven terrain, Busy sidewalks, Mud or poor drainage, Breaks offered along the way, Loud noises, Family-friendly, Wheelchair user-friendly

Travel Tips: Give yourself lots of time. This is a busy, pedestrian-oriented area. Closest skytrain is Broadway/Commercial Drive Station and buses will link north to Brittania library. 

*REGISTRATION REQUIRED - this walk is by registration only, please REGISTER HERE for this walk.

Description: The walk aims to raise awareness of the area's setting, explore the eastern part of Jericho Lands and Jericho Park, and outline and discuss development options for the Jericho Lands and their impact on surrounding residential areas and Jericho Park.

Walk Leader: Members of the Jericho Coalition - a group of engaged and concerned volunteer citizens who joined together after learning about the MST/CLC proposals. Some of us are planners, engineers, architects, and environmentalists. Many of us have been involved in the Jericho process in some way for over five years.(Website: JerichoCoalition.org)

Starting place: West Broadway and Alma Street on the north side of Jo’s Italian Deli (2505 Alma Street)

Ending Location: Same as start location

Duration: 90 minutes

How to recognize your walk leader(s): We will be wearing orange Jane's Walk Festival Bandanas

Accessibility Info: Busy sidewalks, Breaks offered along the way, Uneven terrain, Stairs, non-accessible curb cuts, or other barriers, Family-friendly, 

Travel Tips: Great bus connection to the meeting spot; parking should be avaiable in the side streets.

OPEN - No registration required - just show up for the walk as there is no limit to the number of participants

Description: The walk explores how lived-experience, policy, and history shape the Downtown Eastside neighbourhood. We have arguably the most compassionate neighbourhood in Canada, with hundreds of organizations and residents that are committed to care, recovery, and growth. However, these priorities conflict with the ongoing movement of investment and control that has claimed Vancouver and this stolen and occupied territory of the host nations. Residents have resisted this movement for decades and are forced to continue the resistance despite a major disparity in resources and political influence. However, we claim that the policies and culture that have emerged from the history of this resistance should be celebrated and shared across all neighbourhoods who are facing similar domination. 

Walk Leader: Devin is a community organizer and resident in the Downtown Eastside, studying and educating people about housing experiences, history, and policy down here. He has led a 150 person walk down Hastings street in May 2024 to talk about different buildings and how they represent different needs for solutions in the housing crisis. We recreated the walk with about 20 participants in the Heart of the City festival. It provided a narrative of Hastings that combines lived-experience with policy, which very few people experience together.  

Starting place: Carnegie Community Centre - 401 Main Street

Ending Location: Oppenheimer Park

Duration: 60 minutes

How to recognize your walk leader(s): Orange Jane's Walk leader bandana 

Accessibility Info: Uneven terrain, Busy sidewalks, Breaks offered along the way, Will use speakers/voice amplification (Walk Leader to provide), Triggering content, Strong odours, Loud noises, Family-friendly, Wheelchair user-friendly, Bicycles welcome, Pet-friendly

Travel Tips: There is parking for bike and cars in Chinatown and Gastown. You can also take the Main bus from Main Street Skytrain station. 

***Special Instructions: This neighbourhood has a complex history and many residents who are without housing spend their time on the sidewalks living their lives in the open. Knowing that, we prohibit photos, ask that people respect the community, and allow leaders to de-escalate in any argument that might occur (although this is rare). There is also commonly open drug-use, but there is a culture of respect, especially with children. Community members will shout "kid's on the block!" and people will put their drugs away. 

OPEN - No registration required - just show up for the walk as there is no limit to the number of participants 

Description: Shaughnessy lies in the heart of a metro area of 3 million people, only a short bike ride to downtown. But despite this central location, it is shielded from change by a special zoning by-law, the goal of which is to “protect the distinct estate character of First Shaughnessy.” Does this reflect the priorities of a city in a housing crisis? What does mansion-only zoning in Shaughnessy mean for you, and the future of our city?

Walk Leader: Peter Waldkirch is a director of Abundant Housing Vancouver, a grassroots, non-partisan housing organization that advocates for more housing in Vancouver.

Starting place: Pallet Coffee Roasters, 3820 Oak Street, Vancouver

End Location: 1395 W 14th Ave, Vancouver

Duration: approx. 90-120 minutes

How to recognize your walk leader(s): He'll be wearing a "Legalize Housing" t-shirt.

Accessibility Info: This is a roughly 2 km walk along city sidewalks. Hills.

Travel Tips: We start at Oak and 22nd, and finish at Hemlock and 14th.

OPEN - No registration required - just show up for the walk as there is no limit to the number of participants 

Description: Langley is developing at lightning speed in this area. This is not the farm town it used to be, at least not in this area. Highlighting the newer denser urban form, the trails and MUP system and mixed use town centre. 

Walk Leader: Michael Pratt is a councilor for the Township of Langley and currently completing his masters in urban studies and writing his thesis about Willoughby. 

Starting place: Lynn Fripps Park

Duration: approx. 90 minutes

How to recognize your walk leader(s): Orange bandana

Accessibility Info: Breaks offered along the way, Fast-paced, covering lots of ground, Family-friendly

Travel Tips: Bus 501 but it might still be a bit of a trek

OPEN - No registration required - just show up for the walk as there is no limit to the number of participants 

Description: This walk through Vancouver’s Grandview-Woodland neighbourhood highlights the charm, diversity, and thoughtful design that make it both livable and deeply loved. It begins at a brightly painted home within a “walkshed”—a 15-minute walking radius filled with essential services, encouraging a strong sense of community. Nearby co-op housing reflects values of affordability and shared responsibility, with residents tending a traffic circle garden that bursts with life. A few blocks away, a 1930s walk-up apartment stands as a symbol of housing that remains accessible to artists and creatives, helping to preserve the area’s cultural richness.

Turning onto Commercial Drive, the walk moves through a lively mix of local shops, accessible sidewalks, and a favourite bakery, capturing the street’s inclusive and eclectic spirit. Yet signs of gentrification are also visible, as long-standing businesses face pressure from rising costs. The route leads to Grandview Park, a central gathering place that offers open space, mountain views, and a stage for community life—from casual meetups to tournaments and protests. Returning to the starting point, the walk reveals how housing, walkability, and public space intertwine to support a resilient, welcoming neighbourhood. It’s a portrait of urban life where people live, connect, and thrive within steps of their front door.

Please see my most recent article: "I Love These Streets. Come Walk With Me." 

Walk Leader: Emilie K Adin - Writing and speaking for many years about how to walk and travel wearing a city planner's lens on the world, Emilie will lead a Jane's Walk with that perspective at the forefront. Emilie is the President of the Planning Institute of British Columbia and Yukon, and an Adjunct Professor at the School of Community and Regional Planning at the University of British Columbia. 

Starting place: Grandview Park Bandstand

Ending Location: Same as starting location, Grandview Park

Duration: 90 minutes

How to recognize your walk leader(s): Orange Walk Leader Bandana

Accessibility Info: Uneven terrain, Stairs, non-accessible curb cuts, or other barriers, Family-friendly, Bicycles welcome, Pet-friendly

Travel Tips: Easily accessible by bike routes and transit (bus 20, or a short walk from Hastings Street or Clark Drive or the Commercial-Broadway SkyTrain Station). Non-permit parking is available in limited quantities.

*REGISTRATION REQUIRED - this walk is by registration only, please REGISTER HERE for this walk.

Description: This walking tour will engage participants about 'what is industrial' and what uses are supportive and compatible, or conflicting and incompatible, with traditional and/or modern industrial activities in an urban environment.

Walk Leader: Eric Aderneck, RPP, MPL, BCOM, DULE (eric@aderneck.ca) -- Over the past two decades, his diverse experience includes working for the public and private sectors in the Metro Vancouver region through a number of different capacities including planning policy, real estate development, consultant, and instructor. His expertise is in industrial and employment land use planning and development matters, including documenting supply, demand, utilization, intensification, densification, and stratification issues and trends. He writes articles about these topics to increase awareness and understanding.

*Eric Aderneck hosts various paid tour/walks throughout the year, he has graciously offered to host this one for free in support of Jane's Walk. If this walk is "sold out" feel free to check out his eventbrite link below for future walks.

Links:

Eventbrite Industrial Lands Walking Tours

Linked In

www.IndustrialLands.ca 

www.LearnPlanning.ca

Starting place: 2388 Cambie St, Vancouver, BC Vancouver, BC V5Z 2T8

Ending Location: 67 W. 6th Avenue

Duration: 90 minutes

How to recognize your walk leader(s): Eric will be standing at the plaza in front of Home Depot

Accessibility Info: Uneven terrain, Stairs, non-accessible curb cuts, or other barriers, Busy sidewalks, Loud noises

Travel Tips: It is suggested to take transit as it is close to a skytrain station

*REGISTRATION REQUIRED - this walk is by registration only, please REGISTER HERE for this walk.

Description: In a few decades between the 1890s to 1910s, Commercial Drive (formerly Park Drive) transformed from an isolated skid road for hunters and loggers to become a part of the longest Interurban network in Canada, with access as far as Chilliwack. The Interurban was an important social connector in the emerging Metro Vancouver, bringing people together to work and play. Aspects of life both on the rails and in the surrounding community, with a focus on Grandview Woodland will be shared during the walk. 

We will also share stories of neighbourhood street names, unique changes in the streetscapes where the Interurban ran, the end of the life of these lines and their relation to today’s Skytrain infrastructure. 

The information to be shared in this walk has largely been gathered indirectly from books, historical maps, and photographs.  A special thanks is to be given to the Grandview Woodland Heritage Group for helping me gather resources on the topic and share some personal anecdotes about the final years of the lines.

Walk Leader: Megan Stenftenagel - Megan is a Grandview Woodland resident and multimodality enthusiast. She works as an architect at Perkins&Will in Vancouver with experience on designing transit, cultural, mixed-use, and multifamily projects. Her interest in transportation systems grew largely during the couple of years she lived and worked in Germany, where massive stations, trains, trams, cycling networks, and pedestrian only zones challenged her existing concepts of car dependence and what effective mobility looks like. Closer to home, learning about the former vibrancy of the streetcar and Interurban network in Vancouver inspired Megan to dive deeper into learning and sharing this history within her neighbourhood. 

Starting place: McSpadden Park

Ending Location: Frances and Commercial (option to join for coffee at the nearby Timbertrain Coffee Roasters at the end)

Duration: 2 hours

How to recognize your walk leader(s): Will be holding a sign 

Accessibility Info: Busy sidewalks, Breaks offered along the way, Fast-paced, covering lots of ground, Loud noises, Family-friendly, Bicycles welcome, Pet-friendly, flat terrain, sidewalks

Travel Tips: For our transit users, the starting point is near the Commercial Broadway station, and the end point is close to the R5 bus at Hastings/Commercial.

OPEN - No registration required - just show up for the walk as there is no limit to the number of participants 

Description: This walk will take place in along south False Creek. We'll discuss current and historical threats facing water quality and aquatic habitat in the creek, and highlight ongoing projects led by local community groups that aim to bring biodiversity back to the area. This walk will also include a visit to a long-term biodiversity monitoring project where participants will get a chance to see some of the amazing creatures that already call the creek home.

Walk Leader: Auston is a Salmon Habitat Biologist at Raincoast Conservation Foundation. He's also been a resident of the False Creek area for 4 years and has been a longtime advocate of restoring biodiversity and ecological resilience to Vancouver's little slice of ocean in the city.

Starting place: in front of Creekside Community Centre (seawall side)

End Location: Leg in Boot Square

Duration: approx. 60 minutes

How to recognize your walk leader(s): I will be holding a Jane's Walk sign. 

Accessibility Info: Stairs, non-accessible curb cuts, or other barriers, Busy sidewalks, Breaks offered along the way, Triggering content, Loud noises, Family-friendly, Bicycles welcome, Pet-friendly

Travel Tips: Parking in the area can be quite difficult. There is limited street-parking available (most spots are 1H or 2H limit), however, it is often full. Whenever possible, we encourage folks to bike, take transit, car-share or arrange for a drop-off and pick-up from the location. The community garden is conveniently located near the 1st Ave bike route, a few blocks away from Science World train station, and is accessible by many bus routes (#3; #84).

OPEN - No registration required - just show up for the walk as there is no limit to the number of participants 

Description: This walk will looking at how public space and public buildings fit into the neighborhood fabric of downtown in the the Arenas District of Yaletown. Looking at innovations in park design, public streets, place making and emerging experiments in delivering public housing.

Walk Leader: Craig Jorgensen (He/Him) is a local resident of Yaletown trained in Urban Geography. Coming back from a mini-hiatus from Jane's Walks to feature his newly adopted neighborhood.

Starting place: Rainbow Park in Kafka's Plaza

Ending Location: Batch in the Plaza of Nations

Duration: 60 minutes

How to recognize your walk leader(s): Look for the guy in the Rainbow and Zebra Print Cowboy Hat

Accessibility Info: Busy sidewalks, Family-friendly, Wheelchair user-friendly, Bicycles welcome

Travel Tips: Easily accessible by Skytrain to Granville Station and 9 min walk from there. 

OPEN - No registration required - just show up for the walk as there is no limit to the number of participants 

Description: As a pedestrian who calls the Central Business District home, I felt it apt to give a walk in an area which Jane Jacobs would’ve agreed is vital to any city: its financial district. I took the group past the bank towers, as well as the Marine, Guinness, and Bentall towers, and pointed out the strange urban pairing of the Christ Church Cathedral and the gargantuan Park Place, with its curious address of 666 Burrard Street.

At Waterfront Station, I regaled the group with the history of how the Canadian Pacific Railway’s arrival in what was then a small sawmill town had transformed Vancouver overnight. I then led them up a few flights of stairs to Granville Square. Unbeknownst to most folks who stand here, looking out over the Burrard Inlet to the north shore mountains, this was the deck level of what would have been a 50-metre wide elevated freeway that was to run along the waterfront. Proposed in the 1960s, it was known as the Gastown 200 Project.

The tower at Granville Square represents the type of building that planners envisioned marching along the water’s edge, replacing the then-rundown warehouses along Water Street in what we now call Gastown. But at precisely that moment in Vancouver’s history, Jane’s folks rose up, much as they had in Toronto and New York when those cities had tried to build freeways through equally loved neighbourhoods. The result is that instead of a noisy eyesore of a freeway on the waterfront, Vancouver has Gastown and one of the most walkable downtowns in all of North America—for which we all have Jane Jacobs to thank.

Walk Leader: Sean Ruthen -- Local architect, has been leading a Jane's Walk since 2009 

Starting place: Inside Waterfront Station on Cordova St.

Ending Location: Robson Square

Duration: 90 minutes

How to recognize your walk leader(s): I'm an architect so will be wearing all black. 

Accessibility Info: Stairs, non-accessible curb cuts, or other barriers, busy sidewalks, breaks offered along the way, family-friendly, wheelchair user-friendly

Travel Tips: Expo & Canada Line, buses, Seabus, West Coast express and bike parking on site

*REGISTRATION REQUIRED - this walk is by registration only, please REGISTER HERE for this walk.

Description: The walk aims to raise awareness of the area's setting, explore the eastern part of Jericho Lands and Jericho Park, and outline and discuss development options for the Jericho Lands and their impact on surrounding residential areas and Jericho Park.

Walk Leader: Members of the Jericho Coalition - a group of engaged and concerned volunteer citizens who joined together after learning about the MST/CLC proposals. Some of us are planners, engineers, architects, and environmentalists. Many of us have been involved in the Jericho process in some way for over five years.(Website: JerichoCoalition.org)

Starting place: Sasamat Street & W 10th Ave east of the RBC branch

Ending Location: Same as start location

Duration: 90 minutes

How to recognize your walk leader(s): We will be wearing orange Jane's Walk Festival Bandanas

Accessibility Info: Busy sidewalks, Breaks offered along the way, Uneven terrain, Stairs, non-accessible curb cuts, or other barriers, Family-friendly, 

Travel Tips: There is a but stop at Alma Street & W Broadway

OPEN - No registration required - just show up for the walk as there is no limit to the number of participants 

Description: Over the course of generations, Hillcrest, Sunnyside, City Heights and Riley Park are name tags that have been worn by Vancouver's original streetcar exurb. Enjoy a stroll up mid-Main Street and its environs with longtime residents Ned Jacobs and Varouj Gumuchian to learn how a lack of formal planning has contributed to the making of one of our city's most vibrant, liveable, and surprising neighbourhoods. 

Walk Leader: Varouj Gumuchian and Ned Jacobs

Starting place: 21st & Main Parklett Plaza

Ending Location: Same as starting location 21st & Main

Duration: 120 minutes

How to recognize your walk leader(s): We'll be wearing large hats. 

Accessibility Info: Breaks offered along the way, Family-friendly, Wheelchair user-friendly, Bicycles welcome, Pet-friendly

Travel Tips: Main Street bus, Evo, bike, there is very minimal amount of parking nearby