(Councillor Glen Gower speaks with the participants at the May 3, 2025 Jane’s Walk that took place in Stittsville. Photos: Stittsville Central)
On Saturday, May 3rd, 2025, another successful Jane’s Walk led by Councillor Glen Gower was held along Stittsville Main Street. This year, there was a special focus on ‘Third Places’ — welcoming social spaces where community members come together to connect and enjoy the vibrant energy of Main Street.
As an impressive crowd of around 50 people gathered at Village Square Park, Councillor Gower gave an informative speech about Stittsville’s past as a small railway town, its evolution into a thriving community, and the exciting developments still to come. He highlighted efforts to preserve the area’s small-town charm while also supporting the diverse population growth in the area, including improving sidewalks and community-driven spaces that can bring us all together on the beloved street.
Next, we stopped to admire Switzer on Main, a newly opened apartment complex featuring local businesses on its ground floor. The building reflects Stittsville’s slow transition toward modern builds and is designed to foster gathering spots, support local predominantly women-owned businesses, and bring more residents closer to the centre of the community. As one of the newest additions to Main Street, Switzer on Main sparked conversation about the balance between much-needed accommodation and the preservation of maintaining the growth of small businesses, especially after the fall during the pandemic.
We then travelled to multiple different stops along the street to discuss businesses or community gathering spots that we may have noticed during our walk down the street. It was intriguing to hear other participants ask questions about the history of familiar cafes and shops and express curiosity about new developments that we could see in the future. Only time will tell when it comes to what Main Street will turn into within the next few years, but after hearing how much everyone cares about the area, it seems to be in great hands.
Overall, we got a look into the thoughtful planning that goes into developing a street the community knows and loves. We learned how each decision, from architectural style to pedestrian traffic, is made with the goal of preserving Stittsville’s unique character while focusing on areas that may need modern improvement. Balancing the charm of the past with the needs of a growing population remains a key focus, with ongoing discussions around accessibility, green spaces, and increasing public gathering spots to appeal to both longtime residents and newcomers.
If you missed this year’s Jane’s Walk, I highly encourage everyone to be on the lookout in 2026 when registration opens. Even if you think you know everything about Stittsville, you’d be surprised what secrets can be uncovered at this event. There’s nothing like gaining a newfound appreciation for the community and all the good things to come!
