Author: janeswalkwr

When: Saturday, May 4, 11 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.

Where: Begin at Victoria Park Clocktower (artwork: The Luggage Project by Ernest Daetwyler), end at Charles & Benton Parking Garage (artwork: Pedestrian by Ted Fullerton)

Walk Leader: Michelle Purchase

Let’s take a walk and talk about the obvious art, the subtle art, the hidden art, the guerrilla art, and even some soon to be art, all around Downtown Kitchener. We will share information about the artworks, the artists, and their inspirations. We will talk about the history of the artworks, where they come from, and how they fit in with our local history and our community.

When: Sunday, May 5, 3-4:30 p.m.

Where: Begin at the entrance to Sugarbush Park on Blythwood, end at the corner of Greebrier and Longwood Drive

Walk Leader: Alisa McClurg

All places, wherever they are, evolve over time. While some places may blossom, others fall into decay. Sugarbush North neighbourhood is arguably unique compared to much of today’s development with its relatively large lot sizes nestled beside the spacious 23-acre Sugarbush Park. Let’s gather to look at this area with new eyes and envision together what we would like to see for it in the future.

Some questions we might ask are, what beauty does this area possess that we’d like to see protected? What speaks to our hearts and minds about what we love and want to nurture? What stresses is this area experiencing and how can we work together lessen their impact? And what changes might we like to see happen here that is now nearly half a century old?

Feel free to bring paper, camera and other ways of recording your ideas! With your permission, we will capture your observations and share them with the City and Region as well as on the neighbourhood’s newly forming website. In the spirit of Jane Jacobs who inspired these walks, let’s strive to be citizen planners with our “eyes on the street”, believing in our ability to have important insights into how to effectively carry out urban planning.

Parking is available on Blythwood, Greenbrier and Longwood. The neighbourhood is also accessible by the #9 bus.

The walk will go on, rain or shine.

When: Sunday, May 5,  2-3:30 p.m.

Where: Begin at the corner of College St and Ahrens St W, end at Descendants Beer & Beverage Co. (319 Victoria St N)

Walk Leader: Olde Berlin Town Neighbourhood Association members

Take a leisurely stroll down the iconic laneways of the Olde Berlin Town neighbourhood, a Heritage Conservation District. Explore the history of the laneways while getting a peek at the backyards and fences of some notable homes. Who traversed these narrow paths over the years? Imagine the conversations that successive residents might have shared over more than a century. What would they be talking about in 1890 or 1916 or 1970 or even 2019?

When: Saturday, May 4,  3-3:45 p.m.

Where: Begin outside/in front of the Gold Crown Brewery, end at The Marq (173 King Street North)

Walk Leader: Mélika Hashemi

While ‘what if’ questions evoke in us an anxiety regarding the uncertainty of the future, they simultaneously open up discourse surrounding possibility. ‘How’ questions demand for us to inquire beyond ‘what’ and ‘why’ and transition into the realm of action.

“A Walk Up King Street” is a performative walk using otherwise neglected objects in Uptown Waterloo as metaphors to pose a set of ‘how’ and ‘what if’ questions in a storytelling method. Participants are invited to open up mental and emotional space within themselves to see the mundane anew and engage with what is otherwise easily neglected on a daily basis. Through performance and participation, this project becomes a site where negotiations take place for re-imaginations within the Region to continue to unfold.

Each participant will receive a booklet containing the set of questions written and selected by the walk leader for the walk.