Walks, Talks & More…
throughout James Bay, Victoria
The events for the 2026 Jane’s Walk James Bay will be posted here on April 1, 2026
We’re still imagining them…
Thank you to all the amazing walk leaders and participants who made Jane’s Walk James Bay Victoria 2025 Festival so special. We’re so grateful for your participation and can’t wait to walk with you again next year, the first weekend in May 2026. In particular, we would like to thank:
- John Lutz & the Victoria Heritage Society
- Greg, Gordon & Candis & the James Bay United Church
- Kimberly Stratford & City of Victoria
- Marc Cittone & City ofictoria
- Chris & Ashley & the RBC
- John Caroll & Sharyn Luit for creating awesome colouring pages for the student colouring contest
- John Adams, Nick Russell, Terry Leoppky, Collin Varner, Chris O’Connor, and to Jo Jansen for planning, mapping and leading the walks.
- Caitlin, Devon & Rebecca, Greater Victoria Public Libraries for the Jane Jacob’s display at the James Bay Library.
- Deborah Antonsen & the James Bay Beacon
- Jeff Bell & Times Colonist
- Sheila & Blue Heron Studio
- Ann & Kites in the Classroom
- and every single person who attended the event.
See you again next year if not before!
Come Meet Your Neighbours on a Jane’s Walk in James Bay – May 3 & 4, 2025
Discover the stories, places, and people that make James Bay unique during the inaugural Jane’s Walk weekend in our neighbourhood! Taking place on May 3 and 4, this free, community-led event features two special presentations and nine guided walking tours throughout James Bay, all led by local storytellers, historians, and passionate residents.
The weekend kicks off at 9:00 a.m. on Saturday, May 3, at James Bay United Church (corner of Michigan and Menzies) with a short talk by event producer Marilyn Jones, offering an engaging primer on Jane Jacobs, the urban visionary whose ideas inspired this international event.
Immediately following, Collin Verner, author and local tree expert, will present highlights from his newly released book, Trees in Victoria. He’ll then lead a walking tour celebrating the neighbourhood’s remarkable trees—complete with a visit to the beloved “Teacup Tree” on Clarence Street. (9:30–11:00 a.m., starting at James Bay United Church.)
At 11:30 a.m., Terry Loeppky, who brings more than 50 years of lived experience in James Bay, will lead a walk from South Park School (Michigan & Douglas) exploring Jacobs’ ideas—walkability, diversity, density—and how they’re reflected in Victoria’s oldest neighbourhood. This 2.5 km route is mostly paved and suitable for all abilities.
At 1 p.m., join Marilyn Jones, also known as the “Emily Carr Chronicler,” for a journey to six historic James Bay sites that shaped Carr’s life and legacy. Walkers are invited to share their own Emily Carr stories along the way. (Meet at the James Bay Inn, 270 Government Street.)
Then at 2:30 p.m., Chris O’Connor, from the Royal BC Museum, leads a tour of the museum precinct. You’ll visit Helmcken House, St. Ann’s School, and the BC Archives, uncovering stories of early education, healthcare, and memory in the evolving urban landscape. (Meet at the Royal BC Museum front entrance.)
At 4:00 p.m., join Nick Russell at Ogden Point’s sundial to begin the exploration of the lesser-known industrial past of the northern Outer Wharves. Discover how this bustling port once powered Victoria’s economy.
Sunday kicks off at 10:00 a.m. with a walk led by renowned historian John Adams, starting at the Steamship Terminal (Belleville & Menzies). He’ll share tales of shipyards, shantytowns, and shoreline industry from Laurel Point to Fisherman’s Wharf.
At 1:30 p.m., Marilyn Jones leads a cultural tour of Thunderbird Park, where you’ll explore the stories behind its striking totem poles and traditional big house, Wawadiťła, carved under the leadership of Mungo Martin. (Meet at the southwest corner of Douglas and Belleville.)
To close the weekend, join Jo Jensen and Marilyn Jones from 3:00 to 5:00 p.m. for a deep dive into Beacon Hill Park. This two-hour tour covers 14 unique features—some well-known, others hidden gems—with stories that will deepen your appreciation for this beloved park. The first half of the route is on paved trails and groomed paths. The second half has uneven trails and a slight elevation, offering more of an adventure. (Meet at the giant watering can at Douglas & Circle Drive.)
For those interested knowing more about Jane Jacobs, a display of her books will be featured at the James Bay Library from April 28 to May 10. The Jane Jacobs booklist the library compiled especially for the event will also be available on the event page of the website. For those of you interested in the progress of the Official Community Plan, a copy of the most recent update will be made available at the library display.
And don’t miss your chance to take part in three community contests running alongside the event! The Student Colouring Page Contest invites young artists from James Bay Community School and South Park School to bring to life illustrations of James Bay, Emily Carr, and Thunderbird Park.
The Front Yard Gardens Photo Contest calls on local photographers to capture stunning shots of gardens, the James Bay Community Garden, and scenes from the Jane’s Walk weekend. Contests run April 28 to May 9, with winners announced May 11 and featured on the event website May 15. Prizes donated by local businesses and community organizations will be awarded to winners who will soon become famous.
For full details and downloadable colouring pages, visit: janeswalkjamesbayvictoria.ca
With support from: the James Bay United Church, the Victoria Historical Society, the Hallmark Heritage Society, Discover the Past, Harbour Publishing, The Royal BC Museum, the James Bay Community Project, New Horizons, the Greater Victoria Pubic Library, the James Bay Beacon and many other James Bay friends and fans.
PRESENTATIONS
Celebrate the enduring legacy of urban thinker and activist Jane Jacobs in this engaging presentation at Jane’s Walk James Bay. Discover how Jacobs’ bold ideas—championing walkable neighborhoods, mixed-use development, and citizen-led planning—reshaped how we see cities. Learn how her principles continues to influence James Bay’s unique character, where historic charm meets thoughtful urban design. Through stories, images, and discussion, we’ll explore Jacobs’ timeless insights on what makes a city thrive. Whether you’re a longtime fan or new to her work, this session invites you to see your neighbourhood with fresh eyes—and get inspired to take part in shaping it. This presentation launches the first of the Jane’s Walk James Bay events on Saturday, May 3 & 4, 2025 and runs from 9:00 am to 9:30 am at the James Bay United Church at 517 Michigan Street.
Join author and horticulturalist Collin Varner for an engaging presentation on his recently published book Trees of Victoria: A Wanderer’s Guide as part of this Jane’s Walk event. Discover the incredible diversity of over 200 species of coniferous and broadleaf trees found across Victoria’s parks, streets, and green spaces. Collin will share insights into how Victoria’s mild, coastal climate supports both native species like Garry oak and Douglas fir, as well as striking introduced varieties such as Japanese maple and giant redwood. Learn how these trees shape the character of neighbourhoods like James Bay, help combat climate change, and enrich daily life in Canada’s “City of Gardens.” Whether you’re a tree enthusiast, casual walker, or curious local, you’ll come away with a new appreciation for Victoria’s urban forest and how to identify the trees that surround you. Presentation runs from 9:30 – 10:00 am, right after which Collin will lead walkers on a tour of the Trees in James Bay which runs from 10:00 – 11 am also at the James Bay United Church.
YOUR WALK LEADERS
Saturday features five guided tours led by local experts. First up is Collin Varner, a horticulturist, arborist, and author, who will give a presentation on his upcoming book Trees of Victoria in the sanctuary of the James Bay United Church after which he will lead an hour long walking tour of the trees in James Bay.
John Adams, a local historian, heritage consultant and author of the award winning book, Chinese Victoria, will guide a historic tour of James Bay, uncovering fascinating stories from the area’s past in and around the steamship terminal and Fisherman’s Wharf. Known for his in-depth knowledge of the city’s history, John’s walk promises to shed light on the significant events and people that shaped James Bay.
Nick Russell, author of Glorious Victorian Homes: 150 Years of Architectural History in British Columbia’s Capital and Victoria Then & Now, will lead a walk through the northern Outer Wharves area. He’ll share archival photos of James Bay’s historical landmarks, many now gone, and explore whether James Bay developed as a cohesive community or as an unintended outcome of planning. Discover the rich history of this iconic neighborhood.
Terry Loeppky, a longtime resident of James Bay and community arts activist, will lead a 2.5 km walking tour searching for evidence of Jacob’s pillars of urbanism. Walkers will traverse streets and a variety of public spaces noting built and “natural” elements. Along the way, he will share his personal perspective framed by 50 years of observing and participating in the James Bay scene.
Marilyn Jones, the Emily Carr Chronicler and Jane’s Walk James Bay event producer, will lead a Jane’s Walk through James Bay, tracing the life and legacy of Victoria’s most beloved artist and author. The tour begins at the James Bay Inn, and visits six nearby landmarks tied to her remarkable story, concluding back at Carr House, a National Historic Site, at 2pm. Marilyn brings decades of experience in building community with the arts—having served as Marketing Manager at Edmonton’s Citadel Theatre, founded the city’s First Night Festival, and helped launch the Edmonton Fringe. A long-time volunteer with Folk and Jazz Festivals, she now lives in James Bay, where she finds inspiration in the area’s creative spirit, green spaces, and strong sense of community—and her keen interest in Emily Carr,
Chris O’Connor, program developer for learning and engagement at the Royal BC Museum, will guide a tour through the Museum Precinct, including visits to Helmcken House, St. Anne’s School, and the BC Archives. His interest is in fostering an active environment for visitors to experience the museum exhibits and collections in innovative and engaging ways.
Marilyn Jones will lead a tour through Thunderbird Park and its striking totem poles, each carved with powerful stories of Thunderbirds, grizzlies, and ancestors. As Marilyn guides you through the park, the deep cultural meanings behind these artifacts come alive, along with the legacy of Mungo Martin and the traditional big house, Wawadiťła. By the end of the walk, you’ll see Thunderbird Park with new eyes—no longer just a place to pass by, but a space rich with history, meaning, and living culture. Meet-up at Thunderbird Park on the southwest corner of Douglas and Belleville, east of the Royal BC Museum
Runs on Sunday, May 4 from 1:30 – 2:30 pm
Jo Jansen, former teacher, musician and volunteer cook for the James Bay Community Lunch, and Marilyn Jones, the Jane’s Walk James Bay event producer, wrap-up this year’s Jane’s Walk James Bay event with a stroll through Victoria’s beautiful Beacon Hill Park. This tour highlights 15 unique park features, including Garry Oak Meadows, and Mayor’s Grove, monuments, trails, sports fields, a putting green, pickleball courts and cultural gems and many others you likely have not seen before. Jo and Marilyn share their favourite spots and hidden treasures across the park’s 62 acres, offering fresh perspectives even for regular visitors. Their shared passion for nature and community makes this walk an inspiring experience. Wear firms shoes. The second half of the tour is slightly elevated and on small and uneven pathways.
WITH SUPPORT FROM:
