Question 1

What is Jane’s Walk?

Accepted Answer

Jane’s Walk is a global festival of free, citizen-led walking tours inspired by urban activist, Jane Jacobs. What started in 2007 has since grown to include thousands of walks across the world!

Jane’s Walks are often walking tours, but they can also be bike rides, poetry readings, performance art, games, and more!

There are three things that make a walk a Jane’s Walk:

i) Free, volunteer-led, and open to everyone. 
There can be no registration, fee, or donation associated with leading or participating in a Jane’s Walk.

ii) Non-commercial and non-partisan. 
They cannot be used to promote a business or a candidate running for office.

iii) Seek to promote dialogue. 
Jane’s Walks are dialogues that seek to engage participants in conversation. They are not walking lectures.

Question 2

Who can lead a Jane’s Walk?

Accepted Answer

Anyone can lead a Jane’s Walk because everyone is an expert on the places they live, work and play.

Jane Jacobs believed that the people best equipped to understand cities and make decisions about them are “ordinary, interested citizens”. She felt that getting to know our neighbourhoods and each other is the foundation of city-building.

Jane’s Walk leaders help people get to know their communities by gathering people outside of their homes, offices, and cars to exchange knowledge, tell stories, and share experiences.

Question 3

Does the Toronto Jane’s Walk Festival approve the walks that are submitted?

Accepted Answer

No, Jane’s Walk supports the principle of self-organization and civic engagement. The walks submitted are not curated. The inclusion of any walk does not imply an endorsement from Jane’s Walk Toronto of any specific perspectives or proposals.

However, Jane’s Walk Toronto does reserve the right to withdraw a walk if the subject, location or leader poses any harm or danger to participants, makes use of hate speech, or defames or excludes specific individuals or groups.

Question 4

Is photography allowed?

Accepted Answer

We encourage all walk leaders and participants to take photos and videos while respecting everyones boundaries. We would love to see your photos and video shared with us on social media using the hashtag #walkwithus and #janeswalkto.

Question 5

Do I need to register for a walk?

Accepted Answer

For the majority of walks, you can just show up with no registration required. However, you'll notice that a handful of walks do include Eventbrite links in their descriptions. These walk leaders have chosen to require registration for their walks.

Question 6

Do I have to pay for a walk, or tip the walk leader?

Accepted Answer

Nope. Jane's Walks are volunteer-led and always free of charge. 
That said, the Jane's Walk Toronto Festival does run solely on donations, and if you enjoy the festival - feel free to donate to keep this wonderful festival alive!

Question 7

How many people will be on a Jane’s Walk?

Accepted Answer

Past Jane’s Walks have attracted anywhere from a handful to more than 100 attendees.

Question 8

What if I need to cancel my Jane’s Walk?

Accepted Answer

Unfortunately, we have no way of contacting all those that might show up to the meeting location once a walk is promoted. Therefore we encourage you to find a replacement walk leader if you are no longer able to lead it.

If you must cancel your walk, let us know as soon as possible at support@janeswalk.net(support@janeswalk.net)

Question 9

What if there is bad weather on the day of my walk?

Accepted Answer

Jane’s Walk occur rain or shine. People show up in all weather conditions, and this is part of the fun of Jane’s Walks!

Question 10

Who can I contact if I have more questions?

Accepted Answer

If your question is related to the Toronto Festival - Your festival organizers are here to help! Please contact support@janeswalk.net (support@janeswalk.net.)for all your questions! We're here to help!
_____________
If you are interested in a partnership with the festival, please reach out to contact@janeswalk.net (contact@janeswalk.net)

If you are inquiring specifically about the global festival or ways to get involved in other cities please reach out to Chair@janeswalk.net.(chair@janeswalk.net)

Frequently Asked Questions