See your surroundings with new eyes

Hey there, time traveller!
This article was published 04/05/2022 (401 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

In between the recent blizzard and monsoon I took one of those “seeing with new eyes” walks around Crescentwood. It was a precursor to national Jane’s Walks whereby folks are encouraged to “get out and walk.”

Jacobs, an urban activist who moved to Canada in defiance of the U.S. Vietnam war, was known for her “eyes on the street.” As I passed a friend’s condo driveway I noticed something I’d seen dozens of times but never really thought about. It was a sign that said Muster Point.

Since I never leave home without my cell phone, I called her up to ask what it meant. Had she ever mustered?

Doing some on-line research in her driveway — where I was a solo musterer — I learnt that a muster point is a place where people can gather in case of an emergency. While I was at it, I also researched Jane’s Walks. That led to thinking about gathering places and walks as one-stop shopping for community building.

A national event, Jane’s Walk is traditionally held the first weekend in May. This year folks can take part in Jane’s Walks and explore Winnipeg from May 6 to 8, both in person and virtual. Self-guiding maps are available from www.winnipegarts.ca

Now more than ever, we need people who have ideas and opinions about urban renewal talking to each together, ideally while out walking. What started with one woman in one city has grown to curated walks from Alaska to India. And it’s all free.

I found three Muster Points within a two-mile radius on my practice walk. Whether online or on foot, Jane’s encouragement to “get out and walk,” this year and all year is an opportunity for see our surroundings with new eyes.

Let’s muster the courage and energy to follow in Jane’s footsteps.