Jane's Walk 5280

Jane’s Walk is an annual, internationally-coordinated weekend of walking events inspired by the work of acclaimed urbanist and author Jane Jacobs. For three days in cities around the globe, locally-organized free walking events bring people together to tell stories about their communities, explore their cities and connect with neighbors.

Jane’s Walk 5280 is a local collaborative effort between the Denver Regional Council of Governments (DRCOG) and Walk2Connect. Throughout the Denver region, the Jane’s Walk 5280 organizers will be coordinating 30-40 walks across the metropolitan area. These walks will be led by and for community members. Leaders share their knowledge and passion along the walking tour and also encourage discussion and participation amongst the walk’s participants.

Seeking Walk Tour Leaders 

Jane’s Walk 5280 is actively seeking walking trip leaders from across the Front Range to host walks. No previous experience is needed, training and tips for walk leaders will be provided. Walking trip leaders ideally have a passion to explore, talk about and celebrate neighborhoods and communities found within them. If you’re interested in leading a walking conversation in your community or any spot in the city that you’d like to share with others, please visit our website and submit your walk. www.janeswalk5280.org

A Jane’s Walk can focus on almost any aspect of a community and on almost any topic you can think of. Walks can be serious or funny, informative or exploratory; they can look at the history of a place, or at what’s happening there right now. And, anyone can lead a walk… because everyone is an expert on the place where they live!

Seeking Event Partners 

Community partners can support Jane’s Walk 5280 through collaboration, financial contributions and in-kind donations. Please contact event organizers if your organization is interested in being a part of this unique event.

Contacts 


Nate Currey,
DRCOG Communications Coordinator
JanesWalk5280@gmail.com
www.drcog.org
303-480-6743


Rachel Hultin
Walk2Connect Community Program Director
JanesWalk5280@gmail.com
www.Walk2Connect.com 

January Across America - Days 2 & 3 - Chicago to Ann Arbor

So, I'm a little tired, hence no writing yesterday.

Iowa was really beautiful. What a treat to go check out the Bridges of Madison County and see the capitol building in Des Moines again. It was heartening to see the hundreds and hundreds of wind farms driving across the great plain states. Winterset, Iowa, it should be noted, is probably the greatest example of an Americana downtown square are that I have ever seen.

I didn't really stop much in Northern Illinois (with the exception of the tolls on I-88. The speed limit dropped down to 65mph, which seemed like torture all the way to Chicago.

What to say about Chicago? It was so great staying with my old roommate Peter Stevens. We ran down to Millennium Park so I could check out the development there where the huge open air amphitheater and "the bean" is located. I loved being back in Boys Town (North Halstead) and remembering the wild times from a previous visit. I need to spend more time in the Windy City, I think I'd like to live there someday.

Indiana, I hardly new thee. Other than a kick ass welcome center and a sub-par Walmart pitstop, there wasn't much time nor geography to really go exploring. Next time!

Michigan has been great. Ann Arbor, is a beautiful town with a fantastic, walkable little downtown.

I've decided to adjust my approach a little bit and instead of trying to hurry and get to a city to check it out during rush hour (which just sucks in Chicago), I'm going to check things out the following day.

So this morning I'm in Ann Arbor, Michigan and I will be traveling to Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. Here's what's on the dock for today:

• Comerica Park (Home of the Detroit Tigers, my boyhood team)
• Henry Ford Museum (thanks Kevin Sheppard!)
• Toledo Zoo
• lunch: Tony Packos in Toledo (Thanks Sara Wiegand Wilson!)
• Rock and Roll Hall of Fame
• Kirtland, OH sites
• (hopefully visiting with Mary Brown and Marilyn Zalatel in the Cleveland area)
• Pro Football Hall of Fame

It's going to be a very full day, but it's only 4 hours to Pittsburgh so I'll be able to take it a  more leisurely pace.

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January Across America - Day 2 - Omaha to Chicago

What a difference 20 years makes.

The last time I travelled across Nebraska I was an early teenager and I remember very little enjoyment during the process.

Here's what I discovered yesterday along the route:

• Where there are cottonwood trees there is water.
• Once you leave Utah, people actually follow the rules driving on the interstate.
• Lincoln loves football.
• Omaha loves baseball.
• Runza is a delicious local fast food chain.
• I don't want anything to "Shine bright like a diamond" again. Ever. (Really Rihanna?)
• Nebraska is beautiful in January.

Thank you everyone for sending me messages via email or Facebook. Your tips help make this a very unique experience for me so keep them coming!

I may not respond right away while I'm driving, but I am reading your messages along the route. So, keep them coming!!!

Here is an example (I hope she wont mind me sharing) from a Facebook message I received yesterday morning:

"You know.....I am a daughter of Nebraska. I often miss The Plains. But not in winter . . . Nebraska's been good to me. Hope it's good to you today. Travel safely and go with God!"

I love this. Nebraska was a perfect place to start the trip and it was good to me.

Today's schedule:

Omaha to Chicago 

471 Miles (7 hours)

Iowa and Northern Illinois are on the dock for today. I seem to remember that the Iowa state capitol was stunningly beautiful so I'm planning on stopping in Des Moines.

Otherwise, I'm not sure.

So what's up Hawkeye fans? What makes Iowa so great? (It can't just be that the future Captain Kirk is from there).

Look for more pics from the little red chicken along the route.

See you in Chicago!

-Nate

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