wHAT IS JANE'S WALK?
Jane’s Walk is an annual festival of free, citizen-led walking conversations inspired by Jane Jacobs.
On the first weekend of May every year, Jane’s Walk festivals take place in hundreds of cities around the world. Jane’s Walks encourage people to share stories about their neighbourhoods, discover unseen aspects of their communities, and use walking as a way to connect with their neighbours.
Hamilton has been participating in Jane's Walk since 2013. Email us if you wish to lead a walk!
Support Your Festival
Interested in sponsoring Jane's Walk Hamilton? Email us today!
Take a look at our current Festival Partners below.
2025 jane's walk hamilton schedule
Jane's Talks
Join our community conversations about our city.
Photographing the City with Geoff Fitzgerald & Robert Pinchin
Sunday | May 4th, 2025 | 3:30 PM
@ Rooney's, 724 Main Street East
Hamilton: Music City with Adam Bentley, Olivia Brown, Brad Germain & Ron Palangio
Sunday | May 4th, 2025 | 4:00 PM
@ Into the Abyss, 267 King Street East
Hamilton on the Page with Darrell Epp and Matt Moreland
Sunday | May 4th, 2025 | 4:00 PM
@ Last Supper Books, 148 James Street North
Westdale Village Walking Tour - Canada's First Planned Neighbourhood
Walk Leader: Tracy MacKinnon, Westdale BIA
Date & Time: 10 AM, May 3rd, 2025
Meeting Location: Paisley Coffeehouse @ 1020 King Street West
Approximate Length: 1 Hour
Description of Walk: Walk within Westdale Village business district on King Street West and learn about its unique and rich historical significance as well as its modern happenings.
The walk is intentionally accessible with routes designed on sidewalks, roads, driveways all with accessible access.
Ancaster Village Through Time - Historic Walking Tour
Walk Leader: Heather Peter, Ancaster BIA
Date & Time: 11 AM, May 3rd, 2025
Meeting Location: Ancaster Old Town Hall @ 310 Wilson Street East
Approximate Length: 1 Hour
Description of Walk: Travel back in time as you wander through Ancaster Village, one of Ontario’s oldest communities. Once a hub of historic Indigenous trails and a stopover for early explorers, this historic village has welcomed some of Canada’s most notable figures.
Part of the street is a slight incline but otherwise our walk will be accessible. It will take place on the main sidewalks of Wilson Street, so it will be adjacent to a busy road.
Bloom into Compassion through Community Connection
Walk Leader: Dr. Erin Gallagher, Renee Moor and Breanna Pietracupa
Date & Time: 11 AM, May 3rd, 2025
Meeting Location: Urquhart Butterfly Garden, along Spencer Creek
Approximate Length: 1 Hour
Description of Walk: Nature teaches us that life's seasonal changes - such as aging, grief, and death - can transform our families and environments, making them appear bare like trees, murky like water, and muddy like the earth. However, these times also present an opportunity for rest, akin to dormant flowers, allowing us to find nourishment in our grief.
The walk is intended to be accessible for everyone.
Architecture of an Aging Suburb
Walk Leader: Marko Maric
Date & Time: 11 AM, May 3rd, 2025
Meeting Location: Liuna Station
Approximate Length: 1 Hour
Description of Walk: The North End has been shaped by waves of workers, immigrants, and families. This walk explores the architecture and layout that defines an aging inner city suburb, and what they can tell us about the growth of Hamilton.
The majority of the walk takes place along maintained sidewalks or paved multi-use paths through low-traffic neighbourhood streets. Alternatives exist if unexpected barriers are identified on the day of the walk. Some brief portions of the walk are along the sidewalks of higher-trafficked streets.
Locke Street Historic Walking Tour - A Street of Churches and a Railway
Walk Leader: Tracy Mackinnon, Locke Street BIA
Date & Time: 12 PM, May 3rd, 2025
Meeting Location: Democracy Coffee, 202 Locke Street South
Approximate Length: 1 Hour
Description of Walk: Walk along Locke Street South's business district and get to know its fascinating cultural history.
The walk is intentionally accessible with routes designed on sidewalks, roads, driveways all with accessible access.
How Rail Lines Shape Neighbourhoods
Walk Leader: Cameron Kroetsch
Date & Time: 1 PM, May 3rd, 2025
Meeting Location: Caroline Street North and Stuart Street
Approximate Length: 1.5 Hours
Description of Walk: Walkers will engage with the history of what's now the CN rail corridor in Ward 2's Central and North End neighbourhoods. The walk will include stops at the CN shunting yards, Worker's Arts & Heritage Centre, West Harbour GO Station, LiUNA Station, Sunset Cultural Garden, Jamesville development & more.
The walk should be accessible for people with walkers or scooters, strollers, etc., though it is worth noting that it will be along and adjacent to some fairly busy roadways. The route should have curb cut access at each sidewalk crossing.
Stoney Creek Historic Walking Tour - Little Village with Big Historical Significance
Walk Leader: Tracy Mackinnon
Date & Time: 2 PM, May 3rd, 2025
Meeting Location: The Village Restaurant, 35 King Street East
Approximate Length: 1 Hour
Description of Walk: Walk within the Downtown Stoney Creek business district on King Street East to learn about its rich history and significance in history.
The walk is intentionally accessible with routes designed on sidewalks, roads, driveways all with accessible access.
Hamilton City Builders Tour
Walk Leader: Pat Gallagher
Date & Time: 2 PM, May 3rd, 2025
Meeting Location: Cemetery Gatehouse, 777 York Boulevard
Approximate Length: 1 Hour
Description of Walk: The Hamilton’s Builders Tour at Hamilton Cemetery is a unique and immersive experience that explores the history and cultural heritage of Hamilton and the builders who helped shape the city. The tour takes visitors on a journey through the cemetery, visiting the graves of some of the city's most influential and innovative residents.
Magnificent Mansions of South Durand
Walk Leader: Leanne Joanisse
Date & Time: 2:30 PM, May 3rd, 2025
Meeting Location: Southwest Corner, Ravenscliffe and Aberdeen Avenues
Approximate Length: 1.5 Hours
Description of Walk: South Durand, located at the foot of Hamilton’s escarpment, was a desirable area for the 19th-century elite class of industrialists who sought to build magnificent homes there to denote their wealth and status. Over a hundred years later, many of these mansions remain and consist of an eclectic blend of influences from Gothic Revival to Italianate.
The walk is on paved streets, so the obstacles should be limited. South Durand has many steep areas and the walk leader has designed their walk to avoide this as much as possible, howver, James Street South, going up to Inglewood, is moderately steep. The walk leeader intends to only be on it for a few minutes.
Westdale Village Walking Tour - Canada's First Planned Neighbourhood
Walk Leader: Tracy MacKinnon, Westdale BIA
Date & Time: 10 AM on May 4th, 2025
Meeting Location: Paisley Coffeehouse @ 1020 King Street West
Approximate Length: 1 Hour
Description of Walk: Walk within Westdale Village business district on King Street West and learn about its unique and rich historical significance as well as its modern happenings.
The walk is intentionally accessible with routes designed on sidewalks, roads, driveways all with accessible access.
Gage Park: A Multispecies Commons
Walk Leader: Becky Ellis
Date & Time: 11 AM, May 4th, 2025
Meeting Location: Gage Park Greenhouse
Approximate Length: 1 Hour
Description of Walk: Urban parks are some of the most vibrant, dynamic, and contested spaces in cities. In this walk, Becky Ellis will explore the idea of urban parks as commons – places shared, used, and belonging to everyone.
The walk is intended to be accessible. Part of the walk is on a more gravely pathway, it will fit most mobility needs and the walk leader will check in with participants.
Locke Street Historic Walking Tour - A Street of Churches and a Railway
Walk Leader: Tracy Mackinnon, Locke Street BIA
Date & Time: 12 PM, May 4th, 2025
Meeting Location: Democracy Coffee, 202 Locke Street South
Approximate Length: 1 Hour
Description of Walk: Walk along Locke Street South's business district and get to know its fascinating cultural history.
The walk is intentionally accessible with routes designed on sidewalks, roads, driveways all with accessible access.
A Musical Meander via Crown Point East
Walk Leader: Bethany R., Hamilton's Okayest Accordionist
Date & Time: 1 PM, May 4th, 2025
Meeting Location: Park Row North Parkette (Park Row North & Brittania Avenue)
Approximate Walk Length: 1 Hour
Description of Walk: Come along with Hamilton's Okayest Accordionist on a lively musical journey through Ottawa Street. We'll explore how street music shapes our community and discover the magic of unexpected moments of joy.
Special Note: Please bring musical instruments if you would like!
Stoney Creek Historic Walking Tour - Little Village with Big Historical Significance
Walk Leader: Tracy Mackinnon
Date & Time: 2 PM, May 4th, 2025
Meeting Location: The Village Restaurant, 35 King Street East
Approximate Length: 1 Hour
Description of Walk: Walk within the Downtown Stoney Creek business district on King Street East to learn about its rich history and significance in history.
The walk is intentionally accessible with routes designed on sidewalks, roads, driveways all with accessible access.
Cannon Street - 'In Between'
Walk Leader: Charlie Mattina, Christine Heidebrecht, and Aslan Stohr
Date & Time: 2 PM, May 4th, 2025
Meeting Location: Corner of Cannon and Wellington
Approximate Length: 1 Hour
Description of Walk: Hidden streams, old factory walls, auto shops, new condo plans. Cannon Street (Wellington St. to James St.) is historically an industrial artery and a testament to a strong working-class heritage. What remains is a fragmented collection of industrial remnants,, old community roots, new arrivals, and a street stuck in change. This tour is not just a walk, but an examination of a neighborhood “in-between.”
Durand Photo Walk
Walk Leader: Martyna, Girl and Camera Photography
Date & Time: 2 PM, May 4th, 2025
Meeting Location: Durand Coffee
Approximate Length: 1 Hour
Description of Walk: Discover the the picturesque aspects of Durand on this dynamic tour, perfect for photography enthusiasts.
Hamilton City Builders Tour
Walk Leader: Pat Gallagher
Date & Time: 2 PM, May 4th, 2025
Meeting Location: Cemetery Gatehouse, 777 York Boulevard
Approximate Length: 1 Hour
Description of Walk: The Hamilton’s Builders Tour at Hamilton Cemetery is a unique and immersive experience that explores the history and cultural heritage of Hamilton and the builders who helped shape the city. The tour takes visitors on a journey through the cemetery, visiting the graves of some of the city's most influential and innovative residents.
Discover Hamilton
Walk Creator: Linda, Tourism Hamilton
Approximate Length: 2 Hours
Description of Walk: Hamilton, a port city on the western tip of Lake Ontario in Canada, is dominated by the Niagara Escarpment, commonly referred to as "the mountain". Aside from this, there are other, man-made, attractions in the city, including HMCS Haida, a naval warship moored at the city's lakefront, and the Hamilton Military Museum, showcasing Canada's military history. TAKE TOUR
Découvrez Hamilton
Walk Creator: La ligne bleue (lien de Tourism Hamilton)
Approximate Walk Length: 2 Heures
Description of Walk: Explorez les 26 points de l’amusante balade interactive de La ligne bleue pour découvrir la ville de Hamilton sous toutes ses facettes (œuvres d’art, éléments du patrimoine, ruelles historique, architecture remarquable ou diversité gastronomique). TAKE TOUR
Ancaster Heritage
Walk Creator: Tourism Hamilton
Approximate Length: 45 Minutes
Description of Walk: Ancaster has a long history dating back long before it was surveyed in 1793. It was incorporated as a Township in 1850, as a town in 1974, and as a community of the City of Hamilton in 2001. The ‘Village’ area was the central point of commercial activity and where magnificent residences were built by wealthy entrepreneurs. TAKE TOUR
Hamilton Heritage
Walk Creator: Tourism Hamilton
Approximate Length: 1 Hour
Description of Walk: James was Hamilton’s primary street from the city’s founding in the early 1800’s, connecting the historic commercial heart of the city around Gore Park to the waterfront and railway. Its current character is the result of the accumulation of over 150 years of history, and the re-use and rehabilitation of the original buildings. TAKE TOUR
East Hamilton Escarpment
Walk Creator: Tourism Hamilton
Approximate Length: 2 Hours
Description of Walk: See workers homes from the industrial era of Hamilton, Hamilton's oldest and only urban brickyard, and some great views from the escarpment. Note this walk does include two sets of mountain access stairs and uneven ground.
Hamilton Architecture Crawl
Walk Creator: Thomas Allen, from Tourism Hamilton
Approximate Walk Length: 45 Minutes
Description of Walk: From historic gems to modern masterpieces, Hamilton is blessed with a breathtaking stock of buildings. TAKE TOUR
Olde Town Stoney Creek
Walk Creator: Iroquoia Bruce Trail Club and the City of Hamilton
Approximate Walk Length: 30 Minutes
Description of Walk: Over the years, each of Bruce Trail Conservancy's (BTC) nine volunteer clubs have offered educational hikes looking at a range of topics from wild flowers to local history. The Iroquoia Bruce Trail Club (IBTC) maintains the section of the Bruce Trail that includes Hamilton. TAKE TOUR
GALLERY
Take a look at our past Hamilton Jane's Walks!
meet the jane's walk hamilton team
Get to know our amazing team of volunteers.
MARKO MARIC
Organizing Committee & Walk Leader
CHRISTINE FANDRICH
Lead Organizer
AKEMI LIYANAGE
Website & Social Media Manager
LEANE JOANISSE
Walk Leader
ALEX MOROZ
Walk Leader
DR. ERIN GALLAGHER, COMPASSIONATE HAMILTON
Walk Leader
CAMERON KROETSCH
Walk Leader
TRACY MACKINNON,
STONEY CREEK BIA
Walk Leader
TRACY MACKINNON, WESTDALE VILLAGE BIA
Walk Leader
TRACY MACKINNON,
LOCKE STREET BIA
Walk Leader
HEATHER PETER,
ANCASTER BIA
Walk Leader
J. RENEE MOOR,
JOURNEY HOME
Walk Leader
BREANNA PIETRACUPA,
JOURNEY HOME
Walk Leader
BECKY ELLIS
Walk Leader
PAT GALLAGHER
Walk Leader
BETHANY R.
HAMILTON'S OKAYIST ACCORDINIST
Walk Leader
CHARLIE MATTINA
Walk Leader
CHRISTINE HEIDEBRECHT
Walk Leader
ASLAN STOHR
Walk Leader
GEOFF FITZGERALD
Talk Leader
DARRELL EPP
Talk Leader
MATT MORELAND
Talk Leader
BRAD GERMAIN
Talk Leader
ADAM BENTLEY
Talk Leader
OLIVIA BROWN
Talk Leader
RON PALANGIO
Talk Leader
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