Jane’s Walk SSM > May 1–3 2026

Jane’s Walk is an annual festival of free, citizen-led walking conversations inspired by Jane Jacobs. Happening locally and internationally each year the first weekend in May.

Jane’s Walk Sault Ste. Marie: Celebrate Community, Stories & Connection
Lace up your walking shoes and get ready to explore your city.

The 2026 edition of Jane’s Walk Sault Ste. Marie is set to take place from
May 1 to May 3, inviting residents to join a series of free, citizen-led walking tours to spark conversation, celebrate community voices, and deepen our connection to the places we call home.
Inspired by the legacy of urbanist and activist Jane Jacobs, Jane’s Walks are a movement of
free, citizen-led walking to get people to share stories about their communities, explore their
cities, and connect with neighbours.
“Jane’s Walk is about more than just walking—it’s about listening, learning, and seeing our city
through each other’s eyes,” said Rachel Silva, one of the local coordinators. “Whether you’re
new to the Soo or have lived here your whole life, these walks offer a chance to connect, reflect,
and imagine a more inclusive and vibrant future for our community.”

2026 Walk Schedule

Conditions: Rain or shine.  It is recommended to wear suitable footwear.

� Friday: May 1, 2026

� Time: 12 – 2 p.m.
� Description: A walk in a forgotten neighbourhood: Frenchtown/
Une marche dans un quartier oublié: la paroisse Saint-Ignace
. Bring a sketchbook as the walk will feature sketching and walking. The walk will include a short lesson on St. Ignatius church in the 50’s./
Apportez un calepin de dessin et vos crayons, la marche comportera une petite leçon sur l’église Saint-Ignace dans les années 50 et des croquis en plein air.
The walk will be in French and English / walk with someone who can translate for you. /
La marche sera en anglais et en français, marchez avec quelqu’un qui peut traduire pour vous.
� Starting point: Former Église Saint-Ignace, 322 Cathcart St. (corner of Beverley St. and Cathcart St.)

� Time: 3:30 p.m.
� Description: The War of 1812 historical Jane’s Walk will discuss how the first attack of the war started in the Sault and Algoma, the retaliation of the United States on Sault Ste. Marie and Fort St. Joseph, and how the final battle of the war happened nearby. Other topics to include Francis H. Clergue’s projects along the St. Mary’s River and the history of the Lake Superior Company.
� Starting point: Ermatinger-Clergue National Historic Site (Old Stone House), 831 Queen St. East

� Ending point: Algoma Conservatory of Music, 75 Huron St.

� Time: 6:30 p.m.
� Description: Special Event! Good Neighbour Training: The session invites participants to explore local and national data to deepen their understanding of the roots and realities of homelessness in our community. The evening will focus on challenging stigma and fear while offering respectful, practical ways to engage with our neighbours without a fixed address with the goal of building understanding.
� Starting point: Café 4 Good, 326 Queen St. East

� Saturday: May 2, 2026

� Time: 10 a.m. – 11:30
� Description: Join Michael Burtch for a walk exploring the life and legacy of Gordon Webber. A pioneer of multi-media art in Canada, Webber was born in Sault Ste. Marie in 1909. Through his teaching at McGill University he significantly influenced the direction of architecture. He also fought to preserve historic buildings and districts. The walk will proceed from the museum to the neighbourhood where Webber grew up around Pilgrim St.
� Starting & Ending point: Sault Ste. Marie Museum, 690 Queen St. East

� Time: 10 a.m. – 4 p.m.
� Description: A display of Jane Jacobs’ titles and works
� Starting point: The Algoma University Wishart Library

� Time: 12 p.m.
� Description: Back by popular demand, the Searchmont Community Jane’s Walk will search for cultural and historic sites near the Goulais River & the ACR. Following the walk, view displays & website in new Searchmont Historical Society History Room.
� Starting & Ending point: Searchmont Community Centre, 734 Highway 532

� Time: 2 p.m.
� Description: With Bryan Davies of Tagona Press leading a chat on the book, Dear Rita
� Starting point: SSM Museum

� Time: 3 p.m.
� Description: An annual favourite, the Heritage Trees Walk beings in front of the Sault’s oldest tree, a 300 year old bur oak, across the street from the Sault’s rarest tree, a North American chestnut. The walk will focus on indigenous, historic, cultural and botanic perspectives.
� Starting & Ending point: Bishophurst, 134 Simpson St.

� Sunday: May 3, 2026

� Time: 10 – 11:30 a.m.
� Description: Join us for a flavorful walk along Queen Street, beginning at City Meat Market and ending at Spring Street. This Jane’s Walk will take you through the evolving food scene of Sault Ste. Marie, highlighting the restaurants, stories, and communities that have shaped it over the years. From long-standing local favourites to new and diverse culinary additions, we will explore how food reflects the city’s history, culture, and changing identity. Come ready to walk, learn, and experience SSM one bite at a time.
� Starting point: City Meat Market, 814 Queen St. East

� Ending point: Spring St.

� Time: 12 – 1 p.m.
� Description: The Steelton Jane’s Walk will include discussion of the city’s ‘dividing’ line and entry into the west end, short history of Steelton, and the story of the Brown Street Grand Prix.
� Starting & Ending point: Outside the Stockhouse Grill, 192 Wellington St. East

Walks typically run 60–90 minutes. No registration required—just show up and join in!

Anybody can lead a Jane’s Walk!
The festival encourages people to share stories about their neighbourhoods, discover unseen aspects of their communities, and use the art of walking as a way to connect with their neighbours.
Jane’s Walk Sault Ste. Marie is part of a global movement, with cities around the world participating each year to honour Jane Jacobs’ belief in walkable, livable cities shaped by the people who live in them.

Jane’s Walk is inspired by Jane Jacobs.

Jane Jacobs (1916-2006) was a writer, urbanist and activist who championed a community-based approach to city-building. She had no formal training as a planner, and yet her 1961 book, The Death and Life of Great American Cities, introduced ground-breaking ideas about how cities function, evolve, and fail that have become conceptual pillars for today’s architects, planners, policymakers, activists, and other city builders.

Jacobs lived in Greenwich Village until 1968 when she moved to Toronto. In both cities, she helped derail the car-centred approach to urban planning and invigorated neighbourhood and community activism.

LOVE Local!

Visit: facebook.com/JanesWalkSSM

Visit: janeswalk.org