May 3, 2016 - This coming weekend, Thunder Bay residents will take to the streets to participate in Thunder Bay's 6th Annual Annual Jane's Walk Festival. Local volunteers will be leading nine free neighbourhood walks to inspire citizens to get to know their City and each other. Walks are held across the world during this weekend in celebration of Jane Jacobs's birthday, May 4.

"Jane's Walk is about connecting with neighbors and exploring a more holistic approach to neighborhood safety and inclusion," said Lee-Ann Chevrette, Coordinator of Thunder Bay's Crime Prevention Council. "Jane Jacobs embraced the notion that the safest urban neighbourhoods are those with an active, diverse street life. Her approach to urban planning, which puts people first, makes Jane's Walk a natural fit for the goals of Thunder Bay's Crime Prevention Council. Evidence shows that being seen in your neighbourhood and knowing your neighbours are two major determinants of community safety."

Jane's Walk cultivates a broad understanding of how cities organically develop and thrive. It works to advance walkable neighbourhoods and promote Jacobs' simple-yet-revolutionary idea that inclusive, mixed use neighborhoods are the key to a healthy, safe and inclusive city.

Thunder Bay Walks:

1. MCVICAR CREEK - A WALK IN NATURE AMONGST EARLY 20TH CENTURY HOMES, Friday, May 6, 6 pm, Meet at the corner of Algoma Street N and Dawson Street
2. RIVER WALK - Saturday, May 7, 9:30 am, Meet at Centennial Botanical Conservatory, 1601 Dease Street W, this walk includes a neighbourhood clean-up.
3. CELEBRATE THE SIMPSON/OGDEN NEIGHBOURHOOD WITH EVERGREEN WALKING CLUB, Saturday, May 7, 1 pm, Meet at Evergreen House, 139 Heron St
4. CURRENT RIVER - Saturday, May 7, 1 pm, Meet at the Corner of Arundel & Hodder
5. WINDSOR/PICTON/BLUCHER NEIGHBOURHOOD - Saturday, May 7, 3 pm, Meet at Unit 16, Blucher Avenue
6. CAGED HEART - Sunday, May 8, 11 am, Meet at Charry's Corner Clock Tower (700 Simpson St)
7. HEARTBEAT OF THE DRUM: A WALK FOR HEALING - Sunday, May 8, 1 pm, Meet at Waverley Park Fountain. This walk is in support of Frances Wesley's Walk for Healing.
8. OUT OF THE DOME WALK - Sunday, May 8, 2 pm, Meet at the Sports Dome
9. MOTHER'S DAY MARIDAY STROLL - Sunday, May 8, 3 pm, Meet at Carrick Park on Marlborough Street

For more information about the walks, maps, and starting times visit: www.janeswalk.org/canada/thunder-bay. The Jane's Walk Festival is also on social media, tweet: @janeswalk, hashtag: #jwalk, or Facebook: Jane's Walk.

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Contact: Lee-Ann Chevrette, Coordinator Crime Prevention Council, 625-2554, lchevrette@thunderbay.ca