Jane’s Walks 2020: Access all walks, talks, and activities here!

Jane’s Walks St. John’s

Jane’s Walks is a series of free, citizen-led neighbourhood tours that help people discover unseen, under-celebrated, and unique stories about their community. Due to COVID-19 and our attempt to flatten the curve through social distancing, Happy City St. John’s will be hosting the 2020 walks online this year. All 2020 Jane’s Walks for Newfoundland and Labrador can be enjoyed from home by visiting our website at www.happycity.ca or our Facebook Event and will be offered in video, audio, interactive webinar, and visual formats.

Enter our local prize draw!

To enter, post a photo of your participation in one (or all!) of our four activities below, tag @HappyCitySJ and use #JanesWalkYYT

Activity 1: I Spy Photo Scavenger Hunt
Organized by Happy City St. John’s, this photo scavenger hunt is ongoing throughout the month of May! Find all the items on the list, and be entered to win a local prize! See our post in this facebook event page to view a description of the scavenger hunt.

Activity 2: Homemade Card
Organized by Happy City St. John’s for Mother’s Day weekend! What better time to create a homemade card for mom, a grandparent, or anyone in your life who could use a pick-me-up? Follow the directions to create a heart-shaped card of your own; it can be used as a basket to store more little goodies. Share a picture of your card with #JanesWalkYYT and tag @HappyCitySJ to be entered in our Jane’s Walk prize draw!


This May 24th long weekend is looking different than usual, but that doesn’t mean we can’t still enjoy a little camp-out in the living room! Build your best fort or campsite and share a picture online with #JanesWalkYYT and tag @HappyCitySJ to be entered in our Jane’s Walk prize draw. Winner to be announced at the end of May! Have fun!


This week we would like to see your neighbourhood through your eyes. Draw your favourite space within your community, and get creative – use whatever artistic medium you like! Take a photo and share it online with #JanesWalkYYT and tag @HappyCitySJ to be entered in our Jane’s Walk prize draw. Winner to be announced at the end of May!

Jane’s Walks 2020 Schedule

Please note! We will continue to update this list as release dates and walk information becomes available. Please check back here or follow along for updates through our Facebook event!

Envisioning stronger neighbourhoods through “Neighbouring'”
Walk lead: Neria Aylward, Trevor Hickey, and David Brake
Format: Zoom
Release date: May 6, 2020

The arts, theatre community, and how you can help after COVID-19
Walk lead: Grace MacDonald
Format: Video
Release date: May 8, 2020

The Southside Loop Scavenger Hunt Mission
Walk lead: Rilla and Margo Wilson
Format: Video + Scavenger Hunt Guide
Release date: May 9

Think like a designer: My landscape architecture journey
Walk lead: Victoria FitzGerald
Format: Video
Release date: May 13, 2020

The Impact of Development on the Heritage of Downtown St. John’s
Walk lead: Jerry Dick
Format: PDF
Release date: May 14, 2020


Walk lead: Elizabeth Yeoman
Format: Interactive Google Map
Release date: May 15, 2020

Vacant City St. John’s: Exploring the Possibilities
Walk lead: Josh Smee
Format: Video (Zoom Recording)
Release date: May 17, 2020, 10:00AM

The King George V Institute: An American Building in St. John’s and Ground Zero for Emergency Services, 1912-18
Walk lead: Heidi Coombs
Format: Zoom Recording
Release date: May 20, 2020, 7:00PM

A tour of the boats in our harbour
Walk lead: Peter Walsh
Format: PDF
Release date: May 22, 2020

Triage of the Grace Hospital lands: The rebirth of a neighbourhood
Walk lead: Dan Ficken
Format: Zoom + video
Release date: May 23, 2020, 10:00AM

The Once and Future Library
Walk lead: Josh Smee
Format: Zoom
Release date: May 24, 2020, 10:00AM

A video of Petty Harbour
Walk lead: Todd Tremblett
Format: Video
Release date: May 26, 2020

A walk through Fogo Island
Walk lead: Sandy Crawford
Format: Video
Release date: May 27, 2020

The Hidden Stroll
Walk lead: Grant V. Genova
Format: Facebook Live
Release date: May 30, 2020

Changing Landscapes: The Natural Heritage of Long Pond and Leary’s Brook
Walk lead: Scott Osmond
Format: Interactive website
Release date: June 9, 2020

From slum to urban core: The evolution of our downtown
Walk lead: Keith Collier
Format: Interactive Google Map
Release date: TBA

Porches of St. John’s
Walk lead: Hope Jamieson
Format: Audio/video
Release date: TBA

Prescott Street
Walk lead: Bob Hallett
Format: PDF
Release date: TBA

Walk through Young Studios in Joe Batts Arm
Walk lead: Adam Young
Release date: TBA

Become a Walk Lead!

We are looking for people to share a story from their past or show a hidden talent in the arts, give a guided audio tour through their favourite neighbourhoods, or share their knowledge on the history of a personal treasure. This year we want to not only hear about the beautiful place we all call home, but learn about the people that live in it.

Now more than ever, we need to feel connected to one another and Jane’s Walks has given the perfect opportunity. Together we can explore our city and share our stories through social distancing while bringing a little peace and distraction into the homes of neighbours, family and friends.

Want to lead a Jane’s Walk? Check out our Guide for Walk Leads, and email happcitysj@gmail.com to confirm your topic!