Walking Tours

**Meet Me Here - Real Connection Night** ***Step out of the noise and into something real.*** Meet Me Here is a relaxed, guided evening for genuine human connection. No pressure, no performance, just presence. Through simple partner practices, you will gently connect with different people in a grounded and respectful space. Expect a mix of depth, lightness, and a playful yoga laughter. 📍 Wednesday 27 May, 7:00pm to 8:30pm 📍 West Beach Pavilion, St Kilda 📍Ticketed Event - $15pp online or $20 cash on the night [Tix: Meet Me Here, Real Connection Workshop](https://www.eventbrite.com/e/1988302343834?aff=oddtdtcreator) Open to men and women No experience needed Stay after and socialise If you are craving real connection beyond small talk, you are warmly welcome here. Come as you are. Just bring openness and curiosity. This is intended as a friendship gathering only.

Join us at Brunswick Stadium for a FREE fun-filled Walking Football Mixed Gender Session, brought to you by Walking Football 4 Health Victoria. This event is designed for anyone looking for a low impact sport to stay active, be part of a welcoming community, and most importantly have fun. Our friendly host, Walter, will be there to introduce you to walking football, ensuring a safe and engaging experience. Don't miss out on this opportunity to engage in sports, socialise, and promote a healthy lifestyle in a welcoming community environment. There is no cost for this program. Sign up now and be a part of this exciting Walking Football Session. If you wish to contact the organiser, Mick directly, you can do so on: 0430 163 550 Email: [info@wf4hvictoria.org.au](mailto:info@wf4hvictoria.org.au) Website: https://wf4hvictoria.org.au/ Facebook Community: [https://www.facebook.com/groups/wf4healthvictoria/](https://www.facebook.com/groups/wf4healthvictoria/)

RSVP on our GDG community platform -> https://gdg.community.dev/events/details/google-gdg-melbourne-presents-gdg-melbourne-may26-meetup/ This event is hosted at the Mantel Group Office, with the recording of the talks to be shared afterwards on YouTube if you can't make it. There will be food, networking and some surprise swag!Agenda: 6:20 - Intro 6:30 - Talks 8:00 till late - networking & chat (& drinks optional)Speakers and Talks: Talk 1: Katie Barnett\, Engineering Manager @ Bilue\| Google Developer Expert for Android \| GDG Melbourne Co\-Organiser \| Women TechMakers Melbourne Ambassador What's New on Android Talk 2: Tulsi Sapkota, Senior Software Engineer @ Linktree Replace Yourself with Agents How we built an agent that monitors our Buildkite pipelines, reasons about inefficiencies, and raises PRs to fix it. A practical story about trust, confidence thresholds, and what happens when the agent is better at your job than you are. Talk 3: Saugato Paroi, IT Support Engineer @ PageUp Building AutoCloud: How I turned "why is deploying so hard?" into an AI-powered platform. It started with a frustration every developer knows — you build something that works beautifully on your machine, then hit a wall of IAM roles, Terraform files, networking configs, and CI/CD pipelines just to get it live. I watched that gap kill momentum for too many projects, including my own. So I decided to build the tool I wished existed. AutoCloud is an AI-powered platform that takes a local project or Git repo and turns it into a production-ready cloud deployment — no deep infrastructure expertise required. In this talk, I'll walk you through the journey: the problem that sparked it, the architectural decisions, the hard lessons, and how AI made it all possible. How to find us: Doors open at 5:45 PM at our host the Mantel Group, Level 2/452 Flinders St, Melbourne. Message via Meetup or Slack if you are arriving after 6:00, as the lifts won't let you up. This is an in-person only event. If you have any accessibility requirements, please reach out via the Meetup or Slack to the organiser group to discuss, and we will do our best to help you out. Agenda *** Speakers Katie Barnett - Google Developer Expert for Android (Engineering Manager, Bilue) Katie is passionate about all things Android. She has taken on a wide variety of challenging projects including in the live event, media and travel space. Her favourite thing is to see someone having a delightful experience using something she has worked on. Katie is very active in the development community, she is one of the organisers of GDG Melbourne and is a Women Techmakers Ambassador. Sh… Tulsi Sapkota - Linktree (Senior Software Engineer) Shaugato Paroi - PageUp (IT Support Engineer) Hosted By Katie Barnett, GDE Android / GDG Organiser Suesi Tran, Senior Flutter Developer Poornima Sivakumar, GDG Organiser Lovee Jain, GDG Organiser Zach Jensz, GDG Organiser Ujjawal Raj, GDG Organiser Bramley Turner-Jones, GDG Organiser Yuba Raj (UV) Panta, GDG Organiser Kartik Arora, Android Engineer Google Developer Expert in Android Android Engineer @ Bilue Carolyn Ai Chi Wong, Complete your event RSVP here: https://gdg.community.dev/events/details/google-gdg-melbourne-presents-gdg-melbourne-may26-meetup/.

🎉 **Melbourne AWS User Group – May Meetup** 🎉 📅 **Wednesday, 27 May** 📍 **NAB Events Hub – 395 Bourke Street, Melbourne** ⏰ **Food at 6:00 pm, talks from 6:30 pm (with live stream)** We're fresh from the excitement of **AWS Summit Sydney**, and the energy is still high! This month, we’re keeping that momentum alive by bringing a piece of the Summit back to Melbourne, alongside an inspiring journey of a cloud newcomer. This month, we’re following the path from a first-ever cloud deployment to managing complex, event-driven IoT systems. Whether you’re just starting your cloud journey or looking to refine how you monitor production-scale data platforms, there’s something here for you. **This month’s lineup features:** * **Nolan Cui**, sharing his authentic "From Zero to First Deploy" journey, highlighting the lessons learned and mistakes made during his first steps into the cloud. * **Matthew Gillard**, presenting an extended version of his **AWS Summit Sydney** talk on data observability, specifically focusing on practical patterns for event-driven IoT platforms. A huge thank you to our sponsors: 🥇 **Mantel Group** – Gold Sponsor, 🥈 **Cevo** – Silver Sponsor, 🏛 **NAB** – Venue Sponsor. The event will be live-streamed on YouTube as always. 🗓️ **Agenda** * **6:00 pm** – Food & Socialising * **6:30 pm** – Introductions * **6:40 pm** – What’s New in AWS * **6:55 pm** – **From Zero to First Deploy: My AWS Beginner Journey** (Level 100); Speaker: **Nolan Cui** * **7:20 pm** – **Data Observability Without the Pain** (Level 200); Speaker: **Matthew Gillard** * **7:55 pm** – Marketplace (Who’s Hiring) * **8:00 pm** – Networking + Close 🎤 **Talk Details** **From Zero to First Deploy: My AWS Beginner Journey** **Speaker:** Nolan Cui **Level:** 100 Nolan is still quite new to AWS, but his passion for cloud tech has led him from "just exploring" to building his first working cloud setup. In this lightning talk, he walks through his first hands-on experiences, the mistakes he made, and the valuable lessons he learned along the way. Nolan will also briefly touch on how he plans to apply these lessons by moving oward a fully serverless design for his upcoming real-world projects. **Data Observability Without the Pain: 3 practical patterns from a production IoT platform** **Speaker:** Matthew Gillard **Level:** 200 Modern IoT platforms are inherently data platforms. When events flow through APIs, queues, Lambda functions, and device networks, tracing a single event can become a nightmare. This fast-paced talk provides three practical observability patterns drawn from building and operating a production healthcare IoT platform that processes tens of thousands of events daily. Using **OpenTelemetry**, **AWS X-Ray**, and **Honeycomb**, Matt will explore techniques for gaining visibility into asynchronous event pipelines and correlating activity across distributed services. You’ll leave with concrete patterns you can apply immediately to your own event-driven systems. > **Note:** This is an extended, deep-dive version of the talk Matt is presenting at **AWS Summit Sydney**! 🙌 **Want to Speak at a Future Meetup?** We’re always looking for new speakers and believe everyone has an interesting talk waiting to be shared. If you’d like to present at a future event, reach out at the meetup or via our website: 👉 [https://melb.awsug.org.au/speak/](https://melb.awsug.org.au/speak/)

Let's have fun while watching the night view with our friends! 🏃‍♂️Training menu🏃‍♂️ Every Wednesday 6:00p.m~ Fed Square Assembly 【https://maps.app.goo.gl/zmPQ6U533pUDcNSA9?g_st=ic】 If you have luggage, please consider using the lockers at the station. 💥40~60 min Jog+Walk Pace: Easy pace, suitable for beginners. If you got tired, let's walk together. 【schedule】 6:00 p.m Gathering 6:10 p.m Start 7:00 p.m End of training Challengers we are waiting for you 😊

Join us for a relaxed street art walk through Melbourne's CBD, exploring laneways, murals, and hidden creative spots while enjoying easy, natural conversation along the way. If you love photography, bring your camera or smart phone (charged) to snap some fun photos along the way. We often pose in front of our fave artworks. Be prepared to be silly with me 🤪… (optional of course) This event is about moving at a comfortable pace, noticing what’s around us, and letting conversation unfold organically as we walk. There’s no need for art knowledge - curiosity is more than enough. The walk has a **light structure to help things flow**, but nothing rigid. You’re welcome to chat as much or as little as you like and enjoy the experience in your own way. After the walk, there are options to go for some Haigh's chocolate, or an afternoon dumplings snack, or play games at KingPin - talk to the people as we walk and see who might like to join you afterwards (completely optional). This event is best suited to adults **approx. 25–50 who are young-at-heart** and enjoy exploring the city, being outdoors, and connecting through shared experiences. Strict age limit = 18+ Recommendation: Download the "Street Art Cities" app which we will use to hunt down the art. Stay updated in our WhatsApp group here: https://chat.whatsapp.com/EwT1BMFaCSJ32cfApGYt8U

* 🌏 **MELBOURNE → KINGLAKE**🏙️ * 📅SUN 31 MAY**, DAY TRIP ☀️** * ***\*Feel alive in every journey\**** \-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\- ✨ **NEW TRAIL + NEW PROGRAM!** ✨ Join us for a soul-refreshing escape to serene **Kinglake** — where adventure and relaxation blend in perfect harmony. 🌿 We’ll easy **hike** through lush forest trails, share a joyful **picnic** in nature, explore an inspiring **sculpture walk**, ground ourselves with **meditation,** and finish with **Devonshire tea** & scones experience at a charming country tea house. 🍵🍰 Whether you’re here for the views, the laughs, or the quiet moments — this trip is about connection, joy, and memories that linger. 💫 \-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\- **PACKAGE INCLUDES:** **🎒 All-Inclusive for $99** ✅ Round-trip **transport** in a comfortable **MERCEDES minivan** 🚐 ✅ **Devonshire** **tea** & **scone** 🍵 experience ✅ Guided **hike** + all gears 🥾 ✅ Unlimited **snacks, soft drinks, coffee & tea** ☕ ✅ **Meditation** \- with great company 🧘 ✅ Visit **stunning scenic lookouts** 🌄 \-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\- So here’s the plan: **🕒 ITINERARY:** ⏰ 07:30 — Pick up at **St Paul’s Cathedra**l, Flinders St ☕ 08:00 — Short break **stop** 🍵 09:00 — **Welcome coffee**/tea/drinks/snacks (provided) 🥾 09:15 — Easy **9 km hike** (190m elevation) 🦘 🍉 12:30 — **Lunch** picnic (BYO) + snacks, drinks & music (provided) 🎨 14:00 — Sculpture **Garden Walk** 🍰 15:00 — Devonshire Tea & Scones experiene (included) 🌺 16:00 — Estate & **Garden Tour** (optional) 🧘 16:00 — **Meditation** & Grounding 🌄 17:00 — Scenic drive & **Lookout** visit 🚐 18:00 — Return to Melbourne (drop-off at **Hamer Hall)** \-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\- **💰 How to Book?** Secure your spot with a **$99 transfer** **Please note:** An RSVP alone does not secure your spot — only a transfer confirms your place on the trip. Thanks for understanding! 🔹 **PayID:** 0414 661 458 🔹 **Bank Transfer:** **NAME:** KARAPETIAN G **BSB:** 013233 **ACCOUNT:** 226325836 **Ref:** Ki 🌟 **Limited spots available—RSVP now!** S*pots are only confirmed once payment is received !!!* \-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\- **🎒 What to Bring?** ✔️ **Comfortable hiking shoes (or able to supply, let me know size)** **✔️ Wind/water-resistant jacket**🧥 ✔️ **Long pants & long sleeves** 🌿 ✔️ **Hat/beanie** 🧢 ✔️ **A positive mindset & big smile!** 😊 \-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\- 📢 **Questions?** Feel free to **DM me anytime!** 📩 ✨ **Let’s make this an adventure to remember** \-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\- Visit our sources: [https://www.facebook.com/groups/812911556223655/?ref=share](https://www.facebook.com/groups/812911556223655/?ref=share) Instagram: [nogeography.hike.kayak](http://nogeography.hike.kayak/) [https://www.meetup.com/en-AU/no-geography-hike-and-kayak/](https://www.meetup.com/en-AU/no-geography-hike-and-kayak/) \-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\- ❗️**Please Note:** **Payments are only credited or refunded if the event is canceled or rescheduled by the organizer.** In all other circumstances, payments are **non-refundable and non-transferable**. ❗️Thank you for understanding and supporting the planning involved in creating these experiences! 🌿 \-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\- **\*\*\*Nature & Nurture, Talks & Tastes\*\*\*** \-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\- **LIABILITY WAIVER** The organizer of this group cannot accept any liability for any loss, damage, injury, or accident to participants or their property at this event. By participating in this event, you're taking responsibility for your own safety and well-being. By joining this event you agree to these terms. ## **COVID-19 Safety Measures** * The event host is instituting the above safety measures for this event. * Please do not attend if you are experiencing any flu-like symptoms, such as fever, cough, or sore throat. * If you have recently tested positive for COVID-19 or have been in close contact with someone who has, we kindly ask that you refrain from attending. * Thank you for your understanding and cooperation in keeping our community safe!

**🌿 YARRA RIVER WALK, MEDITATION & CONNECTION 🌿** **📅 Studley Park Boathouse CAR PARK - Meeting point** **☀️ Calm minds • Gentle movement • Peaceful company** \-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\- Come join us for a relaxed morning in nature — a chance to slow down, meet new people, make new friends, and reconnect with yourself away from the noise of everyday life. This gathering is for like-minded people who enjoy peaceful walks, meaningful conversations, calm energy, and mindful moments in nature. No pressure, no rush, no fitness goals — just fresh air, gentle movement, warm drinks, soft music, and good company. Whether you come for the social connection, peaceful meditation, spending time outdoors, or simply to reset your mind for a few hours — you are warmly welcome. ✨ *Walk gently. Breathe deeply. Experience fully.* \-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\- 🌟 **What’s Included** ☕ Coffee & tea, soft drinks 🥐 Snacks 🚶 Guided peaceful nature walk 🎶 Relaxing ambient music atmosphere 🧘 Guided meditation session 🌿 Meditation mat provided 👥 Friendly and mindful group atmosphere \-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\- 🌿 Morning Flow - Meeting Point - **Studley Park Boathouse CAR PARK - check my banner.** **🕣 8:15 AM** — Welcome & Warm Drinks **Coffee, tea, snacks**, and relaxed introductions near the Yarra River. **🚶 8:30 AM** — Peaceful **Nature Walk** (\~7 km Easy Walk) A gentle group walk with calm conversations, soft ambient music, and time to enjoy nature at an easy pace. **🧘 10:30 AM** — Guided Outdoor **Meditation** A grounding meditation session in a peaceful natural setting. Meditation mats provided. 💧 **11:00 AM** — Finish & Goodbyes Leave refreshed, lighter, calmer, and more connected. \-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\- **💰 How to Book?** Secure your spot with a **$19 transfer**: 🔹 **PayID:** 0414 661 458 🔹 **Bank Transfer:** **NAME:** KARAPETIAN G **BSB:** 013233 **ACCOUNT:** 226325836 **Ref:** CN 🌟 **Limited spots available—RSVP now!** \-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\- ❗️**Please Note:** **Payments are only credited or refunded if the event is canceled or rescheduled by the organizer.** In all other circumstances, payments are **non-refundable and non-transferable**. ❗️Thank you for understanding and supporting the planning involved in creating these experiences! 🌿 \-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\- 🎒 BYO: 👟 Comfortable walking shoes 🧥 Comfortable clothing suitable for the weather 🌦️ Rain/wind jacket if needed 💧 Water bottle (optional) 😊 Positive and relaxed mindset \-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\- 📢 **Questions?** Feel free to **DM me anytime!** 📩 \-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\- Visit our sources: [https://www.facebook.com/groups/812911556223655/?ref=share](https://www.facebook.com/groups/812911556223655/?ref=share) Instagram: [nogeography.hike.kayak](http://nogeography.hike.kayak/) [https://www.meetup.com/en-AU/no-geography-hike-and-kayak/](https://www.meetup.com/en-AU/no-geography-hike-and-kayak/) \-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\- **\*A day in nature is a day well spent** \-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\- **LIABILITY WAIVER** The organizer of this group cannot accept any liability for any loss, damage, injury, or accident to participants or their property at this event. By participating in this event, you're taking responsibility for your own safety and well-being. By joining this event you agree to these terms. ## **COVID-19 Safety Measures** * The event host is instituting the above safety measures for this event. * Please do not attend if you are experiencing any flu-like symptoms, such as fever, cough, or sore throat. * If you have recently tested positive for COVID-19 or have been in close contact with someone who has, we kindly ask that you refrain from attending. * Thank you for your understanding and cooperation in keeping our community safe! *

### **🚣‍♂️ Saturday Kayaking at Albert Park Lake! 🌅** Get ready for a **kayaking adventure** right in the heart of the city at the **Sunset & Golden Hour!** 🚣‍♀️✨ Join us this **Saturday** for a fun-filled paddle session, complete with **good vibes, great company, music, and a stunning sunset** over the water. 🌇🎶 \-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\- ### **🎟️ Package Includes – Only $39 PP!** ✅ **Kayaks & gears** 🚣‍♂️ ✅ **Soft drinks & snacks** 🥤🍏 ✅ **Hot tea & coffee** 🍵☕ ✅ **Music & a relaxed social atmosphere** 🎶 \-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\- ### **📍 Meeting Point & Details:** 📅 **Day:** Saturday 📍 **Location:** Albert Park Lake 💲 **Price:** $39 per person 🌊 **Kayaks available – Let’s make some waves!** 🌊 \-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\- ### **💳 How to Book:** 📩 **RSVP with a $39 transfer** to secure your spot! **Please note:** An RSVP alone does not secure your spot — only a transfer confirms your place on the trip. Thanks for understanding! 🔹 **PayID:** 0414 661 458 🔹 **Bank Transfer:** **NAME:** KARAPETIAN G **BSB:** 013233 **ACCOUNT:** 226325836 **Ref:** Alb 🌟 **Limited spots available—RSVP now!** S*pots are only confirmed once payment is received !!!* \-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\- Credited or refunded only if the event is canceled/moved. Non-refundable in any other cases \-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\- ### **🛶 What to Bring:** ✔️ Waterproof/water-repellent clothing 🌊 ✔️ Or spare clothes & shoes (just in case!) 👕👟 ✔️ A positive mindset & excitement for an awesome time! 😃 \-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\- ### **📢 Important!** 📺 **Before attending, please watch these short videos on kayaking safety & techniques:** https://youtu.be/TAEkR13ChPs https://youtu.be/Calmsh4zI5U \-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\- ### **📲 Have Questions?** Feel free to **DM or call me** ! 📞💬 📌 **Follow & Stay Updated:** 🌍 **Facebook Group:** https://www.facebook.com/groups/812911556223655/?ref=share 📸 **Instagram:** @nogeography.hike.kayak \-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\- 🚣‍♂️💙 **Get ready for an unforgettable kayaking experience – see you on the water!** 🌊✨ \-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\- \-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\- **LIABILITY WAIVER** The organizer of this group cannot accept any liability for any loss, damage, injury, or accident to participants or their property at this event. By participating in this event, you're taking responsibility for your own safety and well-being. By joining this event you agree to these terms. ## **COVID-19 Safety Measures** * The event host is instituting the above safety measures for this event. * Please do not attend if you are experiencing any flu-like symptoms, such as fever, cough, or sore throat. * If you have recently tested positive for COVID-19 or have been in close contact with someone who has, we kindly ask that you refrain from attending. * Thank you for your understanding and cooperation in keeping our community safe!

This is a Paid event at Cost of $35 with only 15 spots . Once you are confirmed as going please make payment to secure your spot. Details Lets explore some of Melbourne's Iconic landmarks. We will first explore the Royal Botanc Gardens including the stunning Fern Gully, Sensory Garden,Australian Forest Walk, Arid Garden, Guilfoyles Volcano, Long Island and the Southern China Collection. This will be approx 4km walk At 3 pm I have pre booked a 45 min guided tour of the Shrine of Remembrance . We will have ample time to explore the Galleries which houses over 800 historical artefacts, view the Crypt, and Sanctuary areas and also take in views over the city from the Balconies. 4.45pm We will watch the Last Post Service in the Forecourt . This moving ceremony honours Victorian Veterans and features a piper, bugler and a Shrine Guard Parading in Historic Uniform. COST : $35 pp. Note please pay asap to secure your place . if payment isnt received within 48 hours I will offer the spot to someone on the waiting list. Please make payment via options below and include name & Shrine in reference Pay Id ref: russellchellew@gmail.com or account transfer BSB: 805–050 Account: 100040923 Meeting Place We will meet outside the Royal Botanic Garden Visitor Centre at 1.15pm . click on red M on the Map for exact location .

Before Melbourne’s winds turn colder, let’s leave the last golden moments of autumn beneath our feet. This time, no rushing. Just a slow walk together — through tree shadows, fallen leaves, and the breeze by the river. A hike for daydreaming, for conversations, and for leaving behind some of the tiredness we’ve been carrying lately. 📍 Meeting Point: 121 Studley Park Rd, Kew ⏰ Time: 10:00 AM 🗓️ Sunday, May 31 Wear comfy shoes and bring a little good mood. The ending of autumn deserves a sense of ceremony. 🍁 :::

Join us this Thursday 6:30 pm at the Westerville Veterans Memorial for two loops around the Westerville Sports Complex fields. This 1 mile loop is a flat fully paved trail that straddles Alum Creek. Join us for a beautiful evening hike together!

[The Board Walks](http://www.theboardwalks.com/) are for curious people who love deep conversations. If that sounds like you, **bring a thoughtful topic** and join us for a 5-mile walk (10,000+ steps!). **HOW IT WORKS** **Step 1: Bring a topic** Before you arrive, think of **one** topic you want to explore. A question. A thought that's been on your mind. An obsession you want to geek out on. This is your ticket to the event. **Step 2: Circle up & share** We gather in a circle. Your friendly walk host gives a speech to set the tone. Everyone shares: your name, what you're grateful for, and your topic. That's it. 60 seconds. **Step 3: Walk, talk & float** We walk 5 miles. You naturally drift into conversation with 2-3 people at a time, pulled by topics that spark your curiosity. When you're ready to move on, just say: "I'm going to float!" **Step 4: Feel more alive** Two hours flies by. You're back where you started — but you feel different. More alive. More energized. More connected to yourself and others. That's why regulars join 20+ times. *For more details, read our [Orientation Guide.](https://www.theboardwalks.com/orientation)* **HOW TO BRING A GREAT TOPIC** A great topic = something you're genuinely curious about. Recent topics include: * "What are you passionate about right now?" * "What makes a good friend?" * "What's a belief you used to hold that you've completely changed?" * "How do you want to be remembered?" * "What would you do if money wasn't a factor?" Think of your topic like the dish you're bringing to our conversational potluck. If everyone brings an A+ dish (i.e. energizing, uplifting, expansive), we'll all walk away feeling lighter and brighter. **WHAT TO EXPECT** This isn't a fitness event with casual chitchat. It's a walking think tank where we explore life's big questions together, beyond small talk. *If you're looking for light banter or a standard networking event, this probably isn't the right fit.* But if you crave depth, genuine connection, and conversations that make you feel alive? You'll love it here. **FAQ** * Wear casual athletic attire and sneakers. It's a long walk! * We have multiple first-timers at each event. We work hard to create a welcoming, inclusive, clique-free space. * We welcome people of **all** ages, backgrounds, and industries who align with the [intention](https://www.theboardwalks.com/ground-rules) of this space. * Rain or shine, we've been out here nearly every week since July 2022. If the event is cancelled, we'll let you know. * Dogs, babies in strollers, parents, and friends are welcome — please text/email them the event link so they can RSVP and prepare a topic! **LOGISTICS** * If you'll arrive over 10 minutes late, we suggest skipping the event. It's hard to find us once we start walking, and your host can't answer messages during the event. * This walk is designed for everyone to *move together at the same steady pace* (about 20 min/mile). This format works best when the whole group moves in unison. If you have mobility limitations, we kindly encourage you to find an event better suited to your needs. * Read our [Orientation Guide](https://www.theboardwalks.com/orientation) for full details. * If you enjoy the event, send **[this](http://www.theboardwalks.com/)** to a friend or sign up for our **[newsletter](https://theboardwalks.beehiiv.com/)**. We're in multiple cities with more on the way. 🤠👋 **IF YOU WANT TO GO DEEPER...** [The Board](https://stan.store/ellebeecher/p/the-board) is the next step: a high-trust collective for renaissance people devoted to creating, connecting, and building lives that light us up. * This is a global HQ for people who crave big talk, deep connection, and dream collaborations with people across industries. If the walks feel like a spark... The Board is the fire. Apply [here](https://stan.store/ellebeecher/p/the-board).

**Not everyone will come. That is exactly why you should.** **Two for Tuesdays** is for the people who actually want to get out and do something instead of just talking about it. We’re kicking off the night with a one-hour social walk before Duckpin Social. **Expect a laid-back** But an Intentional 1 hour walk (2-3 miles), good people, and a better way to spend your Tuesday than staying home and doing the same thing you always do. **If the weather does not cooperate, we’ll move indoors.** **This is a paid event.** A small contribution helps keeps events sustainable and ensures those **who RSVP actually show up.** Payment **Link Found in comments** or you can pay on Venmo, Paypal, @WiseUnlimitedLLC or Cashapp $WiseUnlimitedLLC. Walk RSVP **$2** Walk / DuckPin Social **$5** Walk / DuckPin Social + 1 game of duckpin **$12** Please be sure **to Put Event and Event Date** in the note when paying RSVP Fee

Let’s meet and wander the galleries! General admission on Sundays is free.

**History** The [Franklin Park Conservatory](https://www.fpconservatory.org/)’s roots trace back to 1852 when the Franklin County Agricultural Society purchased 88 acres of land to host the Ohio State Fair. After the fair moved to its permanent home, the city of Columbus transformed the grounds into Franklin Park in 1884. This transition shifted the space from a temporary event site to a dedicated public green space for the growing community. The park became a central hub for outdoor recreation and early civic gatherings in the neighborhood. In 1895, the landmark Victorian-style Palm House opened its doors, drawing heavy inspiration from the Glass Palace of the 1893 World’s Columbian Exposition in Chicago. This iron and glass structure became an immediate icon, housing exotic plants that residents would otherwise never see in the Midwest. It remains the oldest part of the facility and serves as a primary link to the conservatory’s 19th-century origins. For decades, it stood as a singular testament to grand horticultural architecture in Central Ohio. A major turning point arrived in 1992 when Columbus hosted AmeriFlora '92, an international horticultural exhibition. This massive event prompted a $16 million renovation and expansion, adding significantly more greenhouse space and the Dorothy M. Davis Showhouse. The festival put the conservatory on the international map and fundamentally changed its scale and ambition. Following the event, the facility transitioned from a city-run park to a private, non-profit organization. In 2003, the conservatory’s identity was further defined through a long-term partnership with world-renowned glass artist Dale Chihuly. After a successful exhibition, the Friends of the Conservatory purchased most of the glass installations, creating the largest permanent collection of Chihuly’s work in a botanical setting. These vibrant glass sculptures are now woven throughout the biomes, blending art with nature. This addition helped cement the conservatory as a premier cultural destination rather than just a botanical garden. Recent years have seen the site expand beyond the glass walls to emphasize community engagement and outdoor education. The 2018 opening of the Scotts Miracle-Gro Foundation Children’s Garden added two acres of interactive landscape designed for hands-on learning. The Scotts Miracle-Gro Company Community Garden Campus also provides local residents with space to grow their own food and learn sustainable practices. Today, the conservatory balances its historic Victorian charm with modern commitments to local ecology and the Columbus community. **Maps of the Conservatory** Here is the [main map](https://www.fpconservatory.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/08/franklin-park-zones-scaled.jpg) of the Conservatory grounds. Here's a [map of the areas](https://www.fpconservatory.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/02/ConstructionMap-2026.jpg) in which the Conservatory has ongoing construction (see below). **Summary** For this event, we'll explore Columbus's highly-rated and very popular Conservatory. As mentioned above, the Conservatory is doing renovations on parts of the facility. These renovations are scheduled to be ongoing until the Fall of next year. Basically, no matter when you go to the Conservatory over the next 18 months, you're going to see some metaphorical orange barrels. So let's just go now. **Tickets and pricing** On the first Sunday of every month, the Conservatory is free for residents of Franklin County and the city of Columbus. You must bring an ID to receive this discount. (Yes, they do check.) Otherwise, tickets are $25.20. Members of the Columbus Zoo (of which I am one) do get a discount on tickets, though I have never actually bought a ticket to the Conservatory (I've always gone on free days). I believe the discount is $4. Parking is always free. If you have additional questions about pricing or whether and for what you qualify, you can reach the Conservatory at 614-715-8000. **Where we'll meet** We will meet just outside the main entrance. I guarantee there's going to be a line. The Conservatory is always popular on free days, and especially in nice weather. **Your GPS is stupid!** Be careful simply typing "Franklin Park Conservatory" in your GPS and going where it tells you. The only way to access the parking lot to the Conservatory is off of Broad Street. Unfortunately, since Google Maps is unable to find its way out of a wet paper bag, it has a tendency to want to take people to a mythical, non-existent Conservatory entrance on Nelson Road. If your GPS does this, just drive to the north side of the Conservatory along Broad Street. Your GPS should then redirect you to the main Conservatory entrance. If your GPS doesn't, then throw your phone away\* and look for the big Conservatory sign on the south side of Broad Street between Nelson Road and Franklin Park West. You also should be able to use the map pin I've provided, below, and it should properly direct you to where you need to drive. \* Don't really do this. **After the event** After stopping to smell the roses, for those that are interested, we'll head to the nearby [Columbus Brewing Company Beer Hall](https://columbusbrewing.com/location/beer-hall/) for [drinks](https://columbusbrewing.com/location/beer-hall/#draft-list) and [lunch](https://columbusbrewing.com/location/beer-hall/#food-menu). The Beer Hall's actual address is [200 Kelton Ave, Columbus, OH 43205](https://www.google.com/maps/place/200+Kelton+Ave,+Columbus,+OH+43205/data=!4m2!3m1!1s0x883889a94ac4acad:0xadb2e60240dbc38b?sa=X&ved=1t:242&ictx=111) (it's literally just on the south side of the Conservatory). Be sure this is where your GPS is taking you when you use it, as the Brewing Company has a taproom on Harrison Avenue that is *not* what you want for this event. We should be at the Beer Hall by 1 if you can't make the Conservatory and just want to join us for drinks.

Let’s meet and share discussion of the James Baldwin short story collection, Going to Meet The Man.