March 10, 2017

Greenway Scene

As designers work in the background to firm up design options for the final Arbutus Greenway, things continue to happen on the temporary greenway. Compared to the last visit, today I saw probably 10 times the number of walkers, riders and dogs.
It looks like the strategy of installing a multi-use temporary surface, with accessible connections in many places, is attracting a diverse user group. All the better for a successful design.
Click any photo to enter a slideshow, with captions that make it all so worthwhile.

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Leave a Reply to AdanacCancel Reply

    1. Too narrow does not look like a problem here. Having to slow down is also not a problem, in my opinion. This is a shared space, not a cycling lane, and hopefully will be treated as such.

      1. Of course slowing down is not a problem. The thing though is that no matter how slow you go, you still will be at least slightly faster than people when they’re walking. If they’re taking up the entire width you cannot get by without disturbing them somehow.
        Anyway, people get caught up in things and are talking away and enjoying the day and forgetting that they should leave a space. I understand that. It seems to be human nature and I don’t expect that to ever change. The solution to this phenomenon on the seawall has been separation of modes.
        So, this is a temporary path to see what works and what doesn’t work. Looks like we’re finding out.

    1. It is indeed quite jarring. Anyone expecting a High Line-like green space will be sorely disappointed. But then bicyclists weren’t the loudest lobby group for the High Line, they’re not even allowed.

      1. It certainly will not win any landscape prize, although it could be a contender for the bituminous asphalt strip awards.

        1. Eric, I thought you liked asphalt what with your support for ever more bridges and highways.
          Ha ha ha!
          Yes, Eric does seem overly bitter about one strip of asphalt in Cremeland. But a 21-lane freeway in Richmond? Bring it on.

      2. “Anyone expecting a High Line-like green space will be sorely disappointed. ”
        A 1.5 mile scenic path that’s only open from 7am to 7pm in the winter? That’s not what I’m expecting so I guess I’m not very disappointed.

    1. I understand that CoV now owns the right of way north of 5th/fir but plans for this section have not yet materialized. It would be great if Connections could be established to Granville Island and the Granville Bridge.

    2. Yes, the City has the ROW down to 1st and Fir, and could connect to the Seawall there, but since they also want to connect to the Granville Bridge and a future Greenway across the bridge, a spur off that connection down to the Seawall would work as well. I don’t think there is any doubt about it connecting through to False Creek, just a question around which alignment to use.
      Of equal interest is the southern terminus and completing the Greenway through to Hudson, then to the Kent Ave Bikeway and the Canada Line Bridge MUP.

      1. You know, connecting this greenway to the proposed greenway in the centre of the bridge will elevate my support of both. I was ambivalent about the bridge greening, but now that connectivity energizes the entire idea.
        I suggest a big hole needs to be blasted through the centre bridge deck at the south end to carry cyclists and pedestrians down to the ground and onto the greenway as directly and gently as possible. Please, no tight, narrow pedestrian and bike tunnels. Make it open and airy.

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