Jane’s Walk Never Disappoints

My favorite time of the year is the first full weekend in May, when Jane’s Walk occurs. Named in memory of Jane Jacobs, an urban activist who lived in New York’s Greenwich Village for many years before moving to Toronto, Jane’s Walk has become a global festival in which anyone can lead walks in their favorite neighborhoods. Toronto hosted the first Jane’s Walk in May 2007, a year after Jane Jacob’s death. New York was the first U.S. city with Jane’s Walk. Now more than 200 cities around the world participate in Jane’s Walk. The New York festival is the largest, with thousands of people enjoying hundreds of walks over a three-day weekend.

The Covid-19 pandemic forced the cancellation of Jane’s Walk in 2020 and turned it into a virtual event in 2021. This year, New York’s Jane’s Walk offered both in-person walks and virtual experiences. Unlike in past years, preregistration was necessary for in-person events to keep crowds under control. As it turned out, rain kept more than half the registered walkers home for many of the walks.

Despite the rain, I ventured to Forest Hills, Queens, on opening day. It’s a neighborhood I’ve always wanted to explore, and I was able to do it with a young man who grew up there. One of the highlights for me was discovering a first that wasn’t in my book; it will be the subject of a future blog. The best thing, though, was getting to know the area a bit and figuring out where I will explore further on my own in nicer weather.

The combination of rain and wind kept me home on Saturday. I spent much of the day on the computer, taking advantage of the virtual experiences. Several dozen people checked out the virtual walk I had posted on this website: It Happened Here First: Herald Square to Madison Square.

On Sunday I went to Harlem to discover the Jewish institutions that preceded the conversion of Harlem to a Black mecca about a century ago. I knew that many Jews once lived in Harlem, but I didn’t know where. It was a long but interesting walk led by a professional tour guide.

I’m always exhausted at the end of Jane’s Walk weekend, even this year when I did less than half of what I usually do. But I also feel invigorated, having discovered more of what this wonderful city has to offer.