Jane’s Walk Participants Learn About Village Issues, History

The Manotick Culture, Parks and Recreation Association (MCPRA) held its foruth annual Jane’s Walk in Manotick Sat., May 6.

Jane’s Walk is a festival of free neighbourhood walking tours that began in Ottawa in 2008 in memory of Jane Jacobs, (1916-2006), “urbanist and activist whose writings championed a fresh, community-based approach to understanding, organizing, designing, and building cities.”

Jane’s Walk is an annual festival of free, community-led neighbourhood walking tours and conversations that began in Ottawa in 2008. The walks are inspired by the late urbanist, activist, and journalist Jane Jacobs. Jane’s Walk festivals take place in hundreds of cities around the world on the first weekend of May. 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.

“We limited registration to 35 people, but we have more than that,” said Anne Robinson of MCPRA. Robinson was the first in the series of speakers giving brief presentations. She spoke in front of the Manotick Public Library, where the walk began.

“We have a wide range of topics that will give people an insight into different things about Manotick,” Robinson added.

From the library, the group walked to AY Jackson Park for a presentation given by Manotick Village Community Association President Irene Staron. Jackson, part of the famed Group of Seven Canadian artists, lived in Manotick for many years. Staron, who lives in Jackson’s old home, spoke about Jackson’s connection with the village.

The next stop was at Bruce Fanjoy’s Millview Passive House. Fanjoy described in detail how the environmentally friendly home operates without using fossil fuel and discussed how the building was designed.

At Remembrance Park, former MCVA President Grace Thrasher discussed the ongoing problem of truck traffic in the village. As MVCA President, Thrasher worked tirelessly on the truck file. The MVCA even conducted its own studies to determine how many heavy trucks roll through the village each day.

From there, the participants walked over to hear their last speaker, Elaine Egan of Watson’s Mill. She was in full vintage costume and talked about the operation of the mill, and how it is the last remaining mill in Ontario that uses water power. At the request of the participants, she also told the story of Ann Crosby, and how her ghost allegedly haunts the mill.

Featured Image: Elaine Egan talks to the group about the ghost of Watson’s Mill.