Blog

Time: Sunday May 4th, 2025, 11:00am – 1:00pm

Meeting Place: Kingsdale Community Centre, 72 Wilson Avenue

Walk Leader: John MacDonald

Neighbourhood and community are built from our individual stories. We live and grow by creating memories and patterns that turn streets, buildings, and parks into places of belonging. By sharing our everyday experiences, hopes and dreams for the spaces in which we live, we enrich one another and create common understanding.

Will you walk with us and share your memories of Kingsdale’s grid of streets, Wilson Park, Montgomery Creek, and other spaces nearby? If you are a longtime resident, or grew up in the neighbourhood and moved away, or currently living and laughing in the neighbourhood, we’d like to hear from you. What are the streets and spaces that make/made the neighbourhood a home for you?

We hope that people of all ages and abilities will lend their voices to this accessible walk, following where those stories lead. Rain or shine. Feel free to email info@johnmacdonaldarchitect.ca with your questions or stories.

When: Sunday May 4th, 2:00-3:30pm

Meeting Point: 60 Willow St, Waterloo (across Mary Allen Park)

Walk Leader: Pui Ming Leung

Living sustainably is easier when we do it together. Join us for a Jane’s Walk through Mary Allen to visit homes with features like native plant gardens, rain gardens, EVs and chargers, solar panels, heat pumps, and more.

Homeowners will share their experiences—the challenges, the wins, and what inspired them to make their homes more sustainable. This walk is about creating space for conversations, sharing ideas, and learning from each other. Whether you’re just starting to think about sustainability or already making changes, everyone is welcome. Let’s connect, get inspired, and see what’s possible when neighbors come together.

When: Friday, May 2, 4:00 – 5:00 pm

Where: Begin at 150 Queen St S, and end at Bread and Roses Co-op, 307 Queen St S, Kitchener

Walk Leaders: Paul Born, Melissa Bowman, Martin de Groot, with Kae Elgie

Learn from the successes and challenges in building a sense of belonging and connection in high rise, closed access buildings. You will hear three stories and meet people who are working toward building the new kind of neighbourhood many people feel we need.

Rain or shine!

When: Saturday, May 3, 1:00-3:30 pm

Where: Meet at the clock tower in the park near the corner of Gaukel and Joseph Streets

Walk Leader: Trent Bauman

This walk will join the Waterloo Region Urban Sketching chapter as part of a nation wide sketch walk. The walk differs a bit from many traditional Jane’s Walks in that we will be stopping at 3-4 sites to sketch a few features of the park. There may be some discussion along the way about the park but the main focus in on drawing the scene in front of you.

Bring your own drawing materials and a small stool or something to sit on.

No experience is needed. Everyone is welcome. Just bring some paper and any mark-making instrument and give it a try.