Jane’s Walk is a movement of free, volunteer-led walking conversations inspired by Jane Jacobs. It encourages people to share stories about their neighbourhoods, discover unseen aspects of their communities, and use walking as a way to connect with their neighbours.
Jane Jacobs (1916-2006) was a writer, urbanist and activist who championed the voices of everyday people in neighbourhood planning and city-building. The annual Jane’s Walk takes place the first weekend in May (close to Jane Jacobs’ birthday on May 4th).
Her first book, The Death and Life of Great American Cities (1961), challenged the ideas of modernist city planning and offered a new vision of diverse cities made for and by the people who live in them.
Jane’s Walk was founded in 2006 as a living, walking commemoration of Jane and her legacy. Ten years later, in 2016, over 1,000 Jane’s Walks took place in 212 cities around the world, spanning 36 countries and 6 continents.
No one can find what will work for our cities by looking at … suburban garden cities, manipulating scale models, or inventing dream cities. You’ve got to get out and walk.
– Jane Jacobs
Jane’s Walk in Saskatoon is coordinated by a small volunteer planning committee. In 2019, we incorporated as a non-profit organization called Jane’s Walk Festival Saskatoon Inc. We provide this website for anyone who wants to lead a walk, or join one or more walks being offered free of charge.
Committee members also respond to email inquiries, promote the walks to encourage participation, and act as co-hosts with walk leaders.
We look forward to seeing you at a walk in 2025!
Jane’s Walk Festival Saskatoon Inc. Notice/Release:
In consideration of being allowed to participate in a Jane’s Walk, You acknowledge and accept all of the inherent risks of my participating in a Jane’s Walk and the possibility of personal injury, permanent disability, death, property damage or loss resulting from them and You agree to assume all of said risks.
Jane’s Walk Saskatoon, its Directors, the Walk leader, the volunteers, and the event sponsors and any other party associated with the Walks, are released to the fullest extent permitted by law, from any and all liability whatsoever, which may arise from any direct or indirect loss, injury or death, caused by any person’s actual or intended participation in a Jane’s Walk and its related activities.
You acknowledge and agree that Jane’s Walk Saskatoon, its Directors, the Walk leader, the volunteers and the Walk sponsors and any other party associated with the Walk, shall not be held responsible for any liabilities and claims for injuries or death, damage or loss of property suffered by you before, during and after the Walk.
You agree to supervise and be responsible for the safety and well-being of all children and pets that accompany you on a Walk.
You agree to indemnify and hold Jane’s Walk Saskatoon, its Directors, agents, representatives, harmless from any claim or demand, made by any third party due to or arising out of your use of the Site, your connection to the Web Site, your violation of the terms, or your violation of any rights of another person or entity.