Happy Jane Jacob’s Day! Right across the street from my Bloor/Dovercourt home is a sight which Jacobs would have heartily endorsed; high density apartment buildings with a beautiful shared ‘green’ area nestled amongst residential homes and a stone’s throw away from busy Bloor St. which contains a truly global mix of restaurants and shops. Looking out at this green area earlier today revealed a plethora of the urban interactions of which she was so fond; an elderly woman walking her dog nimbly caught an errant ball, and kicked it back to some nearby children. Two teenage boys chatted with each other while pretending not to notice a beautiful young woman. A group of moms enjoyed a cup of coffee in the sun while their children gleefully ran amok on the grass.

But hey, this is just my hood. Why not check out Toronto’s other vibrant neighbourhoods at the first annual Jane’s Walk tomorrow on Saturday May 5th? Here’s your chance to learn about the people, places and public spaces (from knowledgeable guides) of different Toronto nabes while taking a healthy stroll with some like-minded folk. Its absolutely free and there are so many walks to choose from such as: Regent Park, The Esplanade, Little India, West Queen West, etc. Bonus: any pics you take on the walk could win you a year’s subscription to the always excellent Spacing Magazine and a Photography Master Class at the Stephen Bulger Gallery

Image from the Jane Jacobs Online Memorial Weblog.