Discover Downtown Westbrook is excited to be hosting a series of Jane’s Walks throughout Downtown Westbrook on the weekend of May 6th. Jane’s Walks are citizen led informational walks that have become popular nationwide. These walks are held in memory of Jane Jacobs, an activist who fought against the urban development of Central Park. You will have the chance to join a variety of Jane’s Walks in Westbrook with topics including the history of the Presumpscot river, future plans for the downtown area, and the development of walking trails in Westbrook.
Jane’s Walks are being organized by Discover Downtown Westbrook! Thank you to our volunteer leaders: Michael Shaughnessy, Mike Sanphy, Robyn Saunders, and Rhonda Forrester.
Learn more about Jane’s Walks in Maine here. https://www.mainepreservation.org/janes-walk-me
Jane’s Walks in Westbrook on May 6th 2023
These are free walks but participants are encouraged to reserve their spots online
A Vision for Westbrook
Lead by Robyn Saunders
Saturday May 6, 2023 10:00-11:00am, meet at Vallee Square (Next to Frog and Turtle)
This walk will be led by Robyn Saunders, project manager for the City of Westbrook. So much is happening in downtown Westbrook! In addition to Vertical Harvest’s urban greenhouse and the new municipal parking garage, there are plans to add housing, redevelop Saccarappa Park as a four-season pavilion, upgrade the downtown Riverwalk, and more! Meet and walk with Robyn Saunders as she shares the vision for what’s to come in downtown Westbrook. There is a lot of construction happening downtown, Westbrook Common is complete and there’s more to come! Join Robyn as she provides a vision of what’s happening now and what’s to come as we lay the future for Westbrook’s future.
Then and Now, A Walk Down Main Street
Walk led by Mike Sanphy
Saturday May 6, at 11:00 meet at the intersection of Spring and Main Street
Distance: 1 mile, approximately 1 hour
This walk is led by local historian, author of the newly published book Westbrook Remembered, and longtime member of the Westbrook Historical Society – Mike Sanphy. Join Mike at 11:00 at the intersection of Spring and Main Street and continue to walk down Main Street to Saco Street. Experience the stories, see the pictures, and remember – or imagine – what Main Street used to be.
Engineering, stormwater design and trails in our downtown
Led by Rhonda Forrester
Saturday May 6, 2023, meet at 11:00 at Riverbank Park Roundabout
Distance: 3 miles, approximately 1 hour
View downtown Westbrook through the lens of Civil Engineering and Urban Planning, with DDW Board member, Portland Trails member and Civil Engineer, Rhonda Forrester.
Curious what is considered when designing downtown spaces? What do we need to consider when connecting our neighborhoods? What’s so important about stormwater, anyway? Rhonda will help you discover the planning and design necessary to create urban landscapes, and what trails you can access right from downtown.
Saccarappa: Past, Present, and Future
Led by Mike Shaughnessy
Saturday May 6th at 4:00pm, meet at the North End of the Dana Warp Mill
Distance: 1 mile, approximately 1.5 hours
This walk will be led by Michael Shaughnessy, founding member of Friends of the Presumpscot, former Professor of Art at the University of Southern Maine, and Discover Downtown Westbrook Board member.
Westbrook has a deeply rooted relationship with the Presumpscot river, yet its history often goes unrecognized. Join Michael as he shares the fascinating history of the restoration of the Presumpscot river and its dynamic ecosystem. The walk will begin at the north (upstream) end of The Dana Warp Mill. We will visit the restored eastern falls. Then to the Fish ladder and Lower Falls. Then to the Western Falls. We will discuss the historic Indigenous, colonial and post-colonial significance, the restoration process, and the ecological importance of the falls. As well we will have a discussion about the future potential of the Falls as a regionally important public space in Downtown Westbrook.
You can email Abby Wilson at [email protected] with any questions or concerns.
