Jane’s Walk – May 3-5, 2019

Previous Jane’s Walk event in Cathedral Square

Press release from Jane’s Walk Providence:

Thirteen Citizen-Led Neighborhood Tours Planned in Providence During the Jane’s Walk Global Weekend Festival: May 3-5

Explore some of Providence’s hidden treasures during Jane’s Walk, a global festival on the first weekend in May! Inspired by urban activist Jane Jacobs, these free walks are led by volunteer citizen guides who share knowledge of their own communities while inspiring neighbors to think, talk, and connect with each other. Last year, Providence was one of more than 240 participating cities across 6 continents, and we expect that number to grow!

The following local walks are scheduled for the 2019 festival weekend, with meeting locations and other details listed on the Doors Open Rhode Island website.

Friday, May 3:

• Skin Deep (led by Ian Baldwin): Trinity Brewhouse, 5:00 PM.

Saturday May 4:

• The Neighborhoods of the North Burial Ground: A Place for Everyone (led by Fran Leazes and Erik Christiansen): the far pedestrian entrance to the burial ground at the marble steps on the corner of North Main and Cemetery streets, 10:00 AM.
• Barrio Tours: Cranston Street—West End (led by Marta Martinez and Joann Ayuso): Dexter Park training ground, 10:30 AM.
• Cathedral Square and Market Square: A Study in Contrasts (led by Jim Barnes): Cathedral Square, 10:30 AM.
• Care Work: Birth, Death, and What Happened in Between (led by Traci Picard): John Brown House, 12:00 PM.
• Downtown Providence LGBTQ History (led by Angela DiVeglia and Kate Wells): Washington and Snow streets, 1:30 PM.
• College Hill & the International Slave Trade (led by Elon Cook Lee): John Brown House, 2:00 PM.

Sunday, May 5:

• Learn about the Historic Jewelry District—Past, Present, and Future (led by Olin Thompson): park at corner of Richmond and Ship streets, 12:00 PM.
• Barrio Tours: La Broa (Broad Street—South Providence) (led by Teresa Guaba and Candelaria Danicher): Southside Cultural Center, 393 Broad Street, 12:00 PM.
• Providence’s Historic Chinatown, American Connections (led by John Eng-Wong): front of Beneficent Congregational Church, 300 Weybosset Street, 12:00 PM.
• Wanskuck Park Walk (led by Nancy Austin and Sarah Zurier): park entrance gate on Woodward Road, opposite Beulah Street, 1:00 PM.
• Discovering Roger Williams Park (led by Christopher Ackley): monument to Roger Williams (near park’s Elmwood Ave. entrance, 1:30 PM.
• Gargoyles: the Faces and Beasts of Downcity (led by C.J. Opperthauser): One Financial Center Plaza, Westminster and Exchange streets, 3:00 PM.

In addition, the John Nicholas Brown Center for Public Humanities at Brown University is guiding an intense two-day collaborative walk through Providence during Jane’s Walk weekend, starting at 9:00 AM on Saturday May 4th and Sunday, May 5th. Participants must register for Untitled (Walking) in advance for a make-as-you-go experience that will cover each of Providence’s 25 neighborhoods. Participants will pick the city locations that they want to visit, contribute prompts to help generate the route from passers-by, and plan activities for the group to complete while en route. Details may be found on the Year of the City website, and individuals may register for the walk on Eventbrite.

All Jane’s Walk participants should wear comfortable shoes, find the leaders at their designated meeting spots, and be ready for lively discussions while on the move. Jane’s Walks are held rain or shine, but the schedule is subject to change. Advance registration is not required except when noted on the website. Find more information about the international festival at janeswalk.org, and follow Jane’s Walk PVD on Facebook.