They stepped on the sidewalk with the same deliberation a wine connoisseur might employ when sampling a glass of cabernet sauvignon.

“It looks good and it’s solid,” said Dylan Reid, tapping the slightly bumpy cast-iron plates at the northeast corner of Victoria and Shuter St. with his shoes. The surface is one of four the city is testing to help the visually impaired — and a stop on Walk Toronto’s first walking tour of downtown this Saturday.

“Could you trip if you were wearing hiking shoes, if you had big treads?” Michael Black asked, feeling the surface with his sneakers.

Reid and Black are two of the founding members of Walk Toronto, a group so new, that when the banner — made out of navy blue corduroy that member Susan Campbell found in the remnants section of Fabricland — was unfurled at St. James Park on Saturday, it was the first time many had seen a logo.

“Ours is young,” Black said of the group. “We haven’t figured out our main cause. We want to get people talking, and when we’re on the streets, people can actually see things.”

Black created the tour — called the “Walk and Roll Caravan” — based on issues discussed at the group’s first meeting in February: things that needed fixing, and positive elements that deserved some recognition, like the scaffolding on a Ryerson project that includes “formal vaulted arches.”

“It’s a lot more pleasant to look at,” Black said, later pointing out the scaffolding he referred to as “an ugly oversized erector set” in a handout.

At the start, around 25 people gathered in St. James Park — a mix of members, families, and a few singles. Councillor Pam McConnell spoke, and walkers were given a two-page handout that included questions to ponder, reminiscent of a thought-provoking school assignment.

At Courthouse Square, a small public park behind Adelaide Street: “What is your reaction to the rows of odorous garbage bins that line the square?” At the sidewalks in front of St. Michael’s Hospital: “Would you find this environment restorative?”

As the group walked toward the Cycle and Sole Rally at Queen’s Park, where cyclists and pedestrians were promoting safety on Toronto’s streets, Black pointed out pinch points, where patios and signposts created narrow sidewalks and hazards for the visually impaired. The group walked down Elizabeth St., which Black considers “complete” for its roomy sidewalks, landscaping, bike lanes and a 40 km/h speed limit.

Another founding member, Roger Brook, finds the street sterile.

“Whether they’re pretty dead zones or hostile dead zones, they’re still the same models, everything takes place inside, and the main streets get garages,” he said, pointing to a parking garage at street level. “It’s not a place people would walk unless they have to.”

By the time the group arrived at Queen’s Park, a few people had wandered off, or had left already for the rally.

“It’s amazing the things you walk by every day and don’t see,” said Mary Mackenzie, who stayed for the duration.

As they walked into the park — Black noted that all the “potheads” would be on the north side for the Toronto Global Marijuana March, while the pedestrian rally would be on the south.

“Where are all the potheads?” a young guy asked.

“Just on the north side,” Black replied politely.

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A mix-up with timing — and a longer walking tour than expected — meant the Walk Toronto group arrived after several cycling groups had left. As they walked in, Black laughed that at least their ranks had been buttressed by some of the marijuana enthusiasts on their way to the other side.

After Reid spoke about ways the province can help pedestrians, the group agreed timing needed to be improved for next year. And Reid signed up a few people — including one lady who came out just for something to do. These are the first steps.