A man, a plan, a canal, & the weird building by Whole Foods

Janes Walk

SOLD OUT, WAITLIST CLOSED

Led By Erin Johnson

Ever wondered what’s up with that building on the corner of the Whole Foods in Gowanus? And why 3rd Street is so wide? In this guided walk, we’ll explore the development of the Gowanus Canal and much of Park Slope from pastoral meadowlands and rolling hills to a bustling industrial and residential area through the lens of Edwin Litchfield, industrial entrepreneur and namesake of Prospect Park’s Litchfield Villa. Delight in the smells of the putrid Gowanus Canal and the lush greenery of Park Slope’s tree-lined streets as we traverse 3rd Street from the canal to the park with a few detours along the way. Some stops will include the Coignet Building, the Old Stone House, and Litchfield Villa. Wear comfortable shoes and bring sun (or rain) protection.

Accessibility

The walk will be approximately 1.5 miles long, primarily along city sidewalks on a gradual uphill with a small portion at the end on a pathway in Prospect Park.

Location Information

RSVP is required and capacity is limited. Meeting location, ending location, and directions will be provided via email before walk date.

guided

Sunday, May 3, 2026
11:00 AM
2 hours

Borough: Brooklyn
Theme: Art & Architecture, Environment, History & Culture
Language: English
The Gowanus Canal in Brooklyn. Photo: Wikimedia Commons, Anahita Rouzbeh. Modifications: photo cropped.