(ELLSWORTH, MAINE)—Heart of Ellsworth, GrowSmart Maine, and the Ellsworth Historical Society will host the third annual Jane’s Walk in downtown Ellsworth on May 4, 2024. Community activist Jane Jacobs inspired this global festival of free, volunteer-led walking conversations. Jane’s Walk combines the simple act of exploring a place with personal observations, local history, and civic engagement.

The Jane’s Walk festival takes place each year in May in more than 200 cities and towns around the world. Nearly 50 walks are happening across Maine and two in Ellsworth -- one in the morning, and one in the afternoon.

The morning walk, Riverside Renewal: Forest Bathing next to the Union River, will start at 10:00 am at the River Walk North trailhead, behind the Ellsworth Public Library. Led by Shep Erhart, a Certified Forest Therapy Guide and founder of Maine Coast Sea Vegetables, this walk is a unique opportunity to experience the traditional Japanese practice of forest bathing. To ensure an intimate and immersive experience, this walk is capped at six participants. Don't miss out, RSVP now to secure your spot.

The afternoon walk, Life and Death in Ellsworth, will start at 3:00 p.m. at the Old Burial Grounds on State Street. Led by Jen Sala from the Ellsworth Historical Society and Nancy Smith of GrowSmart Maine, two esteemed local experts, this walk will provide a unique perspective on the urbanization and modernization of our small city. Participants will walk through downtown Ellsworth, stopping at locations of interest, including former schools and boarding homes, to discuss past, current, and potential uses of our downtown’s valuable historic buildings.

When participating in either walk, wear comfortable shoes and bring your curiosity about Ellsworth's history and interest in the downtown district. More information and registration for the morning walk can be found on Heart of Ellsworth’s website: https://www.heartofellsworth.org/janes-walk.