Explore the city during Jane’s Walk, a global festival inspired by urban activist Jane Jacobs! Unlike typical guided tours, these FREE walks are led by volunteer citizen guides who share knowledge of their own communities. Last year, Providence was one of 225 cities in 37 countries that participated, with 1,695 walks planned altogether. The tradition continues with a dozen walks planned here between May 4th and 6th, 2018.
Find more details about specific walks on the Doors Open RI website. Advance registration is not required, so simply show up on time at the designated meeting spot, and find the walk leader. Jane’s Walks are considered moving conversations, so get ready to participate in a lively discussion!
The following walks are scheduled around the city, and they should go ahead rain or shine.
Friday, May 4th:
• College Hill and the International Slave Trade (led by Elon Cook): intersection of Brown and Power streets, 1:00 PM.
• The Urbanization of Elmhurst and Mt. Pleasant (led by Mark Carty): main staircase at LaSalle Academy, 3:15 PM.
• Where I-195 Used to Be (led by Ian Baldwin): JWU Student Services Center, 274 Pine Street, 5:00 PM.
Saturday May 5th:
• Fields Point: A History of Fill, Industry, Recreation, and Infrastructure (led by Manuel Cordero): Save the Bay Center, 100 Save the Bay Drive, 10:00 AM.
• A Walking Conversation on the Past and Future of Benefit Street (led by Tim More): Corner of Jenckes and Benefit streets, 10:00 AM.
• Trinity Square, Providence (led by Doug Victor): Southside Cultural Center parking lot, 10:30 AM.
• Pond Street: A Walk Through a Lost Neighborhood (led by Taylor M. Polites and Christina Bevilacqua): Corner of Empire and Weybosset streets in front of Beneficent Congregational Church, 12:00 PM.
• Experiencing Broad Street (led by Jim Barnes) Parkview Cafe, 1228 Broad Street, 1:00 PM.
• Creative Capital: Stories from the North Burial Ground (led by Dr. Erik Christiansen and Dr. Fran Leazes): North Burial Ground, pedestrian gate at N. Main St. and Rochambeau Ave., 2:00 PM.
• Discovering Roger Williams Park (led by Christopher Ackley): Monument to Roger Williams (at the Park’s Elmwood Avenue entrance, past the Casino), 3:00 PM.
• Providence’s Waterfront: The Good, the Bad, and the Ugly (led by David Brussat): Crawford Street Bridge, near Hemenway’s, 4:00 PM.
Sunday, May 6th:
• Summit Neighborhood: A Closer Look (led by Mike Fink and Ed Neubauer): The Parlour, 1119 N. Main Street, 11:00 AM.
• Hidden in Plain Sight: Public Art on & off Wickenden (led by C.J. Opperthauser): South Main & Wickenden streets, 3:00 PM.
Please note that the schedule is subject to change. Find more information, like Jane’s Walk PVD on Facebook.