Guelph

All tours go – Rain or Shine

Guelph

Contact:

Susan Ratcliffe

519-780-5030

Guelph Jane's Walk information is here! We've grown again this year, with 23 tours on offer! If you're interested in helping out, offering a tour, or getting involved please contact us, we are always looking for fresh ideas.

Exploring St. George's Park with the Mayor

  • Martin Bosch
  • Saturday, May 2, 2009
  • 10:00am
  • Walk: 90 minutes
open

Walk with the Mayor around Guelph's finest neighbourhood and oldest park.  See the grandest houses at the top of the Hill and hear the stories of those who built them.

Meeting Place: Play set at St. George's Park (Grange, Metcalfe and Palmer St.)

Tour guide(s): Martin Bosch, Karen Farbridge, Mayor of Guelph

End Location: Ker Cavan, 21 Stuart St.

Neighbourhood St. George's Park

Public Transit Directions: Take General Hospital bus north to Delhi Street, walk east on Stuart Street to St. George's Park

Parking Available

park on streets around St. George's Park

close

A Woodland, a Railway and a Covered Bridge

  • Tim Allman
  • Saturday, May 2, 2009
  • 12:00pm
  • Walk: 90 minutes
open

We will explore one of Guelph's most historic and unknown areas.  Starting at the covered bridge, we will follow the old Radial Railway trail and learn aobut Guelph's development, some of its ecological sins and see how well Nature has survived the whole thing.

Meeting Place: Covered Bridge off Gordon Street, or from Wyndham Street South and York Road

Tour guide(s): Tim Allman

End Location: at the Covered Bridge

Neighbourhood along the Radial Railway line

Public Transit Directions: Take Gordon Street bus south past Wellington Street, get off at the Boathouse

Parking Available

near covered bridge in parking lot behind the lawn bowling green on Gordon Street

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Edible and medicinal plants around Geulph's old growth forest

  • Matt Soltys
  • Saturday, May 2, 2009
  • 12:30pm
  • Walk: 2 hours
open

Come and learn about the wild edible and medicinl plants growing along th Hanlon creek and meadows surrounding Guelph's old Growth Forest.  You will learn to recognize the edible plants among the "weeds" for future foraging.

Meeting Place: old homestead off Downey Road, just south of last suburbs. Watch for signs.

Tour guide(s): Matt Soltys

End Location: old homestead off Downey Road

Neighbourhood Hanlon Creek business park

Public Transit Directions: Take College/Niska bus south to Downey Road, walk south

Parking Available

along Downey Road

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Listen to the River Sing

  • Diane Hurst
  • Saturday, May 2, 2009
  • 1:00pm
  • Walk: 60 minutes
open

A walking meditation where participants can listen to the river sing at the place where two rivers meet - a place where the native peoples gathered.

Meeting Place: Neeve Street Bridge Parking Available In the Fountain Street parking lot

Tour guide(s): Diane Hurst

End Location: The Boathouse on Gordon Street

Neighbourhood along the Speed River from Neeve St. to the Boathouse

Public Transit Directions: Take Gordon Street bus south to Wellington Street, walk south to the Boathouse

Parking Available

Parking Available In the Fountain Street parking lot

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Romping in Riverside

  • Mike Darmon
  • Saturday, May 2, 2009
  • 1:30pm
  • Walk: 60 minutes
open

Riverside Park has a long and rich history in Guelph.  Walk through the park and hear its stories and learn about the natural elements along the Speed River.

Meeting Place: Parking lot behind Fire Station on Speedvale Avenue east at Riverview Drive

Tour guide(s): Mike Darmon, Lois Cherry

End Location: Fire Station

Neighbourhood Speedvale Avenue and Riverside Park

Public Transit Directions: General Hospital bus to Delhi, get off and walk west to Riverview Drive

Parking Available

in Fire Station parking lot on Speedvale Avenue

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Feet of Stone, feats of stone: exploring Guelph's quarry lands

  • Susan Ratcliffe
  • Saturday, May 2, 2009
  • 3:30pm
  • Walk: 90 minutes
open

The stone for Guelph's impressive limestone buildings came from quarries located in the area surrounding Waterloo Avenue.  Walk along with me to see the remnants of those quarries and hear the stories of those who worked the stone.

Meeting Place: West end of Water Street, in front of Village on the Green, 295 Water Street

Tour guide(s): Susan Ratcliffe

End Location: at the beginning point, or at Edinburgh and Water Street

Neighbourhood Water Street, Waterloo Avenue area

Public Transit Directions: Take bus along Edinburgh Rd., get off near Water Street, walk west to end of Water

Parking Available

Park on Water Street, in cul-de-sac

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Brooklyn and the College Hill: origins and future vision

  • Councillor Lise Burcher
  • Saturday, May 2, 2009
  • 4:00pm
  • Walk: 90 minutes
open

From curiously carved stone heads to heritage oaks, and from old to new urbanism, come and experience the obvious and no-too-obvious features that enrich this neighbourhood.

Meeting Place: at the Boathouse, on Gordon Street at the Speed River

Tour guide(s): Councillor Lise Burcher

End Location: College and Gordon Streets

Neighbourhood Old University neighbourhood

Public Transit Directions: Take Gordon Street bus to south of Wellington, get off just before the Speed River

Parking Available

at the parking lot beside the Lawn Bowling green

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Once around the pond

  • Stan Kozak
  • Saturday, May 2, 2009
  • 7:30pm
  • Walk: 90 minutes
open

Come and investigate the current local issues and challenges in this area.  We will end by helping with the annual Toad Crossing of Arthur Street.

Meeting Place: Speed River Skating Rink facade in front of the River Run

Tour guide(s): Stan Kozak

End Location: Arthur Street

Neighbourhood Arthur Street

Public Transit Directions: Take Victor Davis bus and get off at Macdonnell Street near the River Run

Parking Available

Use main parking garage, or in the Co-operators or Woods parking lots

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Dancing in the Streets!

  • Georgia Simms
  • Sunday, May 3, 2009
  • 10:00am
  • Walk: 60 minutes
open

Discover all the spaces (existing and imagined) for dancing, creative movement and healing arts in downtown Guelph - and maybe pick up a few steps along the way.

Meeting Place: Guelph Youth Music Centre, Cardigan Street

Tour guide(s): Georgia Simms

End Location: Old Quebec Street, Wyndham at Quebec Street

Neighbourhood Downtown Guelph

Public Transit Directions: Take bus north on Wyndham to corner of Cardigan and Woowich. Walk down Cardigan Street.

Parking Available

parking lot at Guelph Youth Music Centre

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Tiffany to Town

  • Councillor Maggie Laidlaw
  • Sunday, May 3, 2009
  • 10:00am
  • Walk: 2 hours
open

Maggie will lead you on one of her favourtite walks along the west side of the Speed River to Downtown.  Bring your favourite dog!

Meeting Place: Exhibition arena, Division and Kathleen Streets

Tour guide(s): Councillor Maggie Laidlaw

End Location: City Hall

Neighbourhood along the west side of the Speed River

Public Transit Directions: Take St. Joseph's Hospital bus, get off at Kathleen Street and Division Street

Parking Available

Exhibition arena parking lot

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A long time ago in a watershed far, far away: memories

  • Phil Allt
  • Sunday, May 3, 2009
  • 10:00am
  • Walk: 90 minutes
open

Memories of our water, our wealth, the residents of the Willow Road Swamp and St. Joseph's Hospital.

Years ago Guelph was a community of enormous wealth, built on a watershed that extended from beyond Highway 7 into Puslinch Township.  See where some of Guelph's wealthiest and most influential families lived, learn about underground streams and discover the rich history of Western Guelph.

Meeting Place: Exhibition Street and London Road

Tour guide(s): Phil Allt

End Location: Exhibition Street and London Road

Neighbourhood Western Guelph

Public Transit Directions: Take St. Joseph's Hospital bus to London Road, get off and walk east to Exhibition Street.

Parking Available

Park at Exhibition arena.

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Land, Leaders and Opportunities

  • Barbara Mann
  • Sunday, May 3, 2009
  • 10:30am
  • Walk: 2 hours
open

Wander through one of the most diverse neighbourhoods in the city.  Learn about The Ward's unique heritage, community and opportunities for the future.

Meeting Place: Under the Mulberry tree at Neeve Street near Cross St.

Tour guide(s): Barbara Mann

End Location: Neeve at Cross streets

Neighbourhood The Ward

Public Transit Directions: Take York Rd. bus to Neeve Street, get out at Cross Street

Parking Available

along Neeve Street

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Something Strange on Strange Street

  • James Gordon
  • Sunday, May 3, 2009
  • 11:30am
  • Walk: 90 minutes
open

Let James take you through his neighbourhood.  Be prepared for some surprises, some history and some fun along the way by the river, along Dufferin Street, and through the surrounding area.

Meeting Place: Goldie Mill behind Guelph Youth Music Centre on Cardigan Street

Tour guide(s): James Gordon

End Location: Goldie Mill

Neighbourhood Duffering Street and the Goldie Mill

Public Transit Directions: General Hospital bus to Arthur Street, walk west to Norwich footbridge,cross to Goldie Mill

Parking Available

in Guelph Youth Music Centre parking lot

close

A Woodland, a Railway and a Covered Bridge

  • Tim Allman
  • Sunday, May 3, 2009
  • 12:00pm
  • Walk: 90 minutes
open

We will explore one of Guelph's most historic and unknown areas.  Starting at the covered bridge, we will follow the old Radial Railway trail and learn aobut Guelph's development, some of its ecological sins and see how well Nature has survived the whole thing.

Meeting Place: Covered Bridge off Gordon Street, or from Wyndham Street South and York Road

Tour guide(s): Tim Allman

End Location: Covered bridge

Neighbourhood along the Radial Railway line

Public Transit Directions: Take Gordon Street bus south past Wellington Street, get off at the Boathouse

Parking Available

near covered bridge in parking lot behind the Lawn Bowling green on Gordon Street

close

Let it all hang out: public hanging and public nudity

  • Christoph Kesting
  • Sunday, May 3, 2009
  • 12:00pm
  • Walk: 60 minutes
open

Explore this corner of the downtown - the Red Brick Cafe, Douglas Street, the Court House and the Heffernan Street Bridge.  Let it all hang out is Christoph's motto through Guelph's shocking past events and present happenings.

Meeting Place: Red Brick Cafe on Douglas Street

Tour guide(s): Christoph Kesting

End Location: Red Brick Cafe on Douglas Street

Neighbourhood Douglas Street area

Public Transit Directions: Walk up Douglas Street from St. George' Square bus stops

Accessible

Parking Available

on Wyndham Street or in Baker Street parking lot

close

Exploring Pond Creek, a buried stream in the downtown area

  • Jeremy Shute
  • Sunday, May 3, 2009
  • 12:00pm
  • Walk: 90 minutes
open

Pond Creek travels from the north end of Guelph to the Speed River under roads, houses, parks and school properties.  We will walk a section of the creek system looking at how this hidden creek has secretly influenced urban planning, landscaping and architecture.

Meeting Place: the Boathouse, Gordon Street at the Speed River

Tour guide(s): Jeremy Shute

End Location: Exhibition Park Arena, Kathleen and Division Streets

Neighbourhood around the Speed River

Public Transit Directions: Take Gordon Street bus south of Wellington, get off at the Boathouse

Parking Available

parking lot off Gordon Street, near Lawn Bowling Club

close

Our urban forest, past and future - with our trees

  • Norah Chaloner
  • Sunday, May 3, 2009
  • 1:00pm
  • Walk: 90 minutes
open

Come walk with us to meet some upstanding residents of Guelph, handsome and diligent in their contributions to our community.

Meeting Place: John McCrae House on Water Street

Tour guide(s): Norah Chaloner, Judy Martin

End Location: McCrae House

Neighbourhood Old University Neighbourhood around McCrae House

Public Transit Directions: take #10 bus from St. George's Square to McCrae House on Water St.

Parking Available

along Water Street near McCrae House

close

The Country at the edge of the City: Sacred Paths

  • Jim Profit, S.J.
  • Sunday, May 3, 2009
  • 1:30pm
  • Walk: 90 minutes
open

Walk the trails of Ignatius Jesuit Centre's 600-acre property.  Smell the awakening farmland after its winter rest.  See the goslings by the Chardin Trail, and the trilliums of the John Holtzer Trail.  Experience the history of the property, and hear about the Mickles, first settlers of the property, the Jesuit novitiate, and the big fire.  See the ruins of an old mill as you linger by the creek.  See where the Marden Creek meets the Speed River.  Listen to the land land inviting you to share in its dreams.

Wear appropriate footwear as the land may still be wet and muddy.

Meeting Place: Parking lot of Farm Store, watch for signs. Enter driveway off Hwy 6, on west side, just north of cemetary

Tour guide(s): Jim Profit, S.J.

End Location: same

Neighbourhood Ignatius farm lands, near corner of Hwy 6 & 7

Public Transit Directions: Take bus to corner of 6 & 7, walk north a little way.

Parking Available

in farm store parking lot, or in front of Ignatius College building

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Downtown Walkabout

  • Terry Crowley
  • Sunday, May 3, 2009
  • 2:00pm
  • Walk: 2 hours
open

Tour the main streets of Downtown Guelph's business section and hear the history of the beautiful limestone buildings and streetscapes.  Trace the changes in the area over time with the words of an experienced guide.

Meeting Place: Guelph Civic Museum, 6 Dublin St.North

Tour guide(s): Terry Crowley

End Location: Guelph Civic Museum

Neighbourhood Downtown Guelph

Public Transit Directions: Take Waterloo Avenue Bus, get off at Dublin Street, walk south to Museum

Parking Available

in Museum parking lot, or in Royal Lepage office opposite Museum

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Listen to the river sing

  • Diane Hurst
  • Sunday, May 3, 2009
  • 2:00pm
  • Walk: 60 minutes
open

A walking meditation where participants can listen to the river sing at the place where two rivers meet - a place where the native peoples gathered.

Meeting Place: Neeve Street Bridge

Tour guide(s): Diane Hurst

End Location: The Boathouse on Gordon Street

Neighbourhood along the Speed River from Neeve Street to the covered bridge

Public Transit Directions: Take Gordon Street bus south to Wellington Street, walk south to the Boathouse

Parking Available

In the Fountain Street parking lot

close

A Spirited Walk thorugh Guelph History

  • Brian Holstein
  • Sunday, May 3, 2009
  • 2:30pm
  • Walk: 90 minutes
open

A few colourful former residents will be resurrected both in body and in tales to tell the history of the buildings and homes along a small part of Waterloo Avenue and the streets south.

Meeting Place: Guelph Civic Museum 6 Dublin Street South

Tour guide(s): Brian Holstein, Ken Irvine

End Location: corner of Gordon Street and Nottingham Street

Neighbourhood Waterloo Avenue and south

Public Transit Directions: TAke Waterloo bus to Dublin Street, walk south to Museum

Accessible

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Park Avenue Porch Prowl

  • Wilfred Ferwerda
  • Sunday, May 3, 2009
  • 3:00pm
  • Walk: 60 minutes
open

Experience the 'sidewalk ballet' as a pedestrian and from the vantage point of selected porches on one of Guelph's favourite streets.  Walk up Park Avenue and discover why, in Jane Jacobs' words,

". . . drinking pop on the stoop differs from drinking pop in the game room."

Meeting Place: corner of Suffolk Street and Park Avenue

Tour guide(s): Wilfred Ferwerda

End Location: front porch of 55-57 Park Avenue

Neighbourhood Exhibition Park

Public Transit Directions: Take Conestoga bus#22 from St. George's Square, get off across from Dublin Street United Church, walk 1/2 block west of Suffolk Street to Park Avenue

Parking Available

park on streets around corner of Suffolk St. and Park Avenue

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Backyard Bounty Excursion

  • Shannon Lee Stirling
  • Sunday, May 3, 2009
  • 4:30pm
  • Walk: 90 minutes
open

Come hear the tales of Guelh's new urban farming project.  We'll visit a few Backyard Farms and maybe even stop at some local eateries that will be serving food grown right in Guelph's backyards.

Meeting Place: WOW Cafe 22 Carden St.

Tour guide(s): Shannon Lee Stirling

End Location: WOW Cafe

Neighbourhood various backyards and restaurants near downtown

Public Transit Directions: Walk down Wyndham Street to Carden, turn left.

Parking Available

along Carden Street, or in Wilson Street parking lot

close

Once around the pond

  • Stan Kozak
  • Sunday, May 3, 2009
  • 7:30pm
  • Walk: 90 minutes
open

Come and investigate the current local issues and challenges in this area.  We will end by helping with the annual Toad Crossing of Arthur Street.

Meeting Place: Speed River Skating Rink stone facade in John Galt Park in front of the River Run

Tour guide(s): Stan Kozak

End Location: Arthur Street

Neighbourhood Arthur Street

Public Transit Directions: Walk from St. George's square to the River Run

Parking Available

Baker Street parking lot, Co-operators' or Woods' parking lot

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