Apr. 27, 2023 By Danielle Louie
From May 5 to May 7, the Municipal Art Society of New York is hosting Jane’s Walk, an annual community walk, all over New York City to celebrate its neighborhoods and culture. Twelve out of 161 walks will take place in Queens neighborhoods, including Astoria, Forest Hills, Flushing, Ridgewood and the Rockaways.
Jane’s Walk is an international festival celebrating urban life and culture. This year marks the festival’s 13th year in New York City, with the New York chapter being the largest in the world. The Municipal Art Society of New York presents the annual Jane’s Walk in honor of Jane Jacobs, an urban activist.
Photo courtesy of the Municipal Art Society of New York
“Every spring, we look forward to this opportunity to gather together, mark Jane Jacobs’ birthday, and appreciate the everyday magic of urban life,” said Elizabeth Goldstein, president of the Municipal Art Society.
In the Rockaways, Jane’s walk participants will experience the Rockaways’ newest park, the Arverne East Nature Preserve.
In Flushing, participants will discover the community’s history and the ethnic food culture on Main Street.
In Astoria, participants will experience the neighborhood’s diverse cultural history by touring Little Egypt and Greek cafes and tasting local.
In Forest Hills, participants will walk through the lesser-known north side of Forest Hills and look at notable architecture and cultural institutions — and taste local cuisine along the way.
And in Ridgewood, walkers will learn about Fresh Pond Road and how the neighborhood transformed from marshes and forests to the network of rowhouses and warehouses it is today.
“From dancing the salsa through Spanish Harlem to dining out on burek, Budvar, and baklava in Astoria, Jane’s Walk is a celebration of the diverse cultures and communities that make up New York,” said Genevieve Wagner, public programs associate at the Municipal Art Society.
Jane’s Walk events are free, open to the public and volunteer-guided. Jane’s Walk also accommodates self-guided and virtual walks for the New York City chapter.
“This was a new format we debuted in 2020 when the pandemic kept us from hosting in-person gatherings, but they proved to be so popular that we kept them as part of our annual roster,” said Wagner. “Self-guided walks give busy New Yorkers the chance to explore the city at their own pace and schedule.
Wagner said Jane’s Walk allows New Yorkers to see the city through a different lens.
“Whether you’re exploring parts of the five boroughs that you’ve never visited before or developing a deeper understanding of your own neighborhood, this festival is a unique opportunity to build community and reconnect with the city we love,” Wagner said.
For more information on Jane’s Walk, visit mas.org/janes-walk-nyc-2023.