Celebrating May: Ottawa Month and Jane's Walks

Everyone needs to explore to Canada's capital!

A rarely seen back-side view of Parliament Hill, Ottawa

I’m a huge advocate of getting to know and explore your own hometown. But sometimes even I need to take my own advice! 

With this in mind, May is Ottawa Month, here at TurnipSeed Travel!

This short post will be followed all month with other posts about things to do in, and around Ottawa, Canada.

Jane’s Walk 101

Peace Tower - Parliament Hill

This weekend, we were fortunate to take part in the Jane’s Walk Tours. 

The Jane’s Walks are a celebration of the life and work of Jane Jacobs, an urbanist and activist who didn’t let a lack of formal training stop her from revolutionizing how we see urban spaces and ecosystems. 

This annual free festival of walking tours helps put residents back in touch with their neighbourhood, their city, and appreciate the rich history and architecture all around us.

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A Walk on the Wild Side?

Carvings on Parliament in the Modern Gothic style

We’ve got some political animals in my house, and we decided to get back in touch with the heart of our city and do a walking tour of Parliament Hill. 

Ryan and I had both taken the “official” tour on several occasions, especially when family came to town, but it had been years since we really had a visit. It was fascinating to get reacquainted with a building we see every day – the intriguing history (including some tantalizing gossip here and there), unique architectural symbols, and the interesting use of public space as a political tool. 

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The Power of Volunteers and Community

Ian's passion really shone. Attend his next walk!

Our tour leader was Ian Capstick, political pundit and president of MediaStyle. It was great to learn about Parliament Hill from someone who spent so many years working there and Ian’s enthusiasm was contagious. Who says politics has to be dry, dull, or cynical?

Jane’s Walks happen in many cities and the programs are driven by volunteers. Even if you are new to the area and don’t feel confident in your history skills, you can still volunteer to help marshal the crowds along. It’s a great way to connect with the community and enjoy the light exercise, fresh air, and new perspective

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