Tag Archives: Arbutus Greenway

Herb Auerbach on the Arbutus Greenway

31 Tuesday Oct 2017

Posted by in Landscape, Public spaces, Urban Design

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Herb Auerbach, real-estate development consultant and author of “Placemakers” responded to this piece in the Sun on the Arbutus Greenway by Cheryl Chan:

 

“PLANS FOR ARBUTUS GREENWAY LACKS VISION AND IMAGINATION”

For over 10 years I have urged the City of Vancouver to recapture the Arbutus Right of Way from

CP Rail who I believed then, and believe now, that once they ceased running trains on it they were obliged under the Transportation Act to cede the rail right of way to the Crown.

So I was pleased to learn  the City had finally acquired the right of way but was disappointed to learn that they had to pay for it.  I was also glad to hear that the current installation of a pathway and bike lanes is temporary and plans are afoot to permanently enhance what is now dubbed the “Arbutus Greenway”

So I went by Point Gray School to view the results of the “Design Jam” and speak with a number of the City representatives there.

I found little inspiration, and was further disappointed to learn that the project is in the hands of the City’s Engineering Department and not the City Planning Department.  When I asked, “why not the Planning Department?”  I was told this is just a narrow strip and has little effect on the abutting property. Of course it has effect on the abuttifng proiperties, and the Planning Department should be taking the lead on a project of this magnitude and import.

I was also disappointed to learn that the City has not given up on the idea of developing a portion of the Greenway to generate income , and I was further disappointed  to learn that the City deal only transferred the CP right of way to the Fraser River and not all the way to Steveston. The whole approach to dealing with this extraordinary opportunity to create something unique and grand,  seems lacking innovation, inspiration, vision and imagination.

Imagine a vintage  trolley car (not rapid transit) running from Science World to Steveston (and not just Granville Island as it does now or to the Fraser River as planned) and the positive impact it would have on  points along the way and the attraction it would have for tourists, and like the street cars in San Francisco would pick up and transport commuters along the way.

Imagine this right of way planted with 10,000 cherry trees and walking or riding along it and under them when they are in bloom.

Imagine the Greenway having special illumination, walkable and rideable by day and night, with points along the way for cafes where folks can rest, meet and converse.

Imagine a design which is the product of more imagination. …

 

 

Recent Developments 7b – Arbutus Greenway in Transition

05 Wednesday Apr 2017

Posted by in Active Transportation, Annals of Cycling, Bicycling, Infrastructure, Kitsilano bike path, Landscape, Public spaces, Transportation, Urban Design, Urban Planning

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Recent development that was designed to face the Arbutus corridor, even when it was unused, decrepit, weed-strewn and rusting, was the right decision. Offices and suites facing the greenway will be the most valuable.

The temporary path is not complete. Jersey barriers block the way at the cross-streets; signs say pedestrians and cyclists should not do the obvious thing and cross the arterials at mid-block.  Instead, jog down to the signaled intersections.  Which they don’t.

They do the obvious thing.

Arbutus has been transformed once already.

And there’s lots more to come.

 

Recent Developments 7a – Arbutus Greenway in Transition

04 Tuesday Apr 2017

Posted by in Active Transportation, Annals of Cycling, Bicycling, Infrastructure, Kitsilano bike path, Landscape, Public spaces, Transportation, Urban Design, Urban Planning

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The new paved pathway of the Arbutus Greenway pushes beyond Burrard, into the near-nameless neighbourhood north of Broadway. (Burrard Slopes, I think, but so bland.)

You can already see how the greenway is becoming the organizing open space for this neighbourhood, particularly with the new kid’s park on the curve, just before the Fir Street off-ramp of the Granville Bridge.

At this point, the pavement ends at Fir:

Beyond is the critical link that extends the greenway to Granville Island and Seaside (see dotted line on map above).  When completed, the AB then becomes the Kitsilano and west-side active-transportation connector to False Creek – and the network effect will balloon the use of the corridor.  Like any manifestation of induced demand, this is not to be under-estimated.

Arbutus Greenway Passing Thoughts

10 Monday Oct 2016

Posted by in Active Transportation, Bicycling, Infrastructure, Transportation, Urban Design, Urban Planning, Walking

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On October 15, the City of Vancouver will release consultation results and the design for a temporary surface (or surfaces) on the Arbutus Greenway.

      October 15, 10:00 to 2:00
      Kitsilano Neighbourhood House (info boards also to be online)
      2305 w 7th Ave., Vancouver

Meanwhile, the grand design of the final Arbutus Greenway is still awaits the beginning of broad public consultations.

But how broad will they be?  Who will be able to get onto the Greenway, explore it and experience it for themselves, see and feel how they might use it and imagine what it could become? This is what’s at stake in the design of this temporary surface. Inclusion vs. exclusion.  Personally, I vote for inclusion. I’d prefer that we hear from a broad bunch of everyone in forming the final design.

Who will sway the day on the temporary surface design?  The “accessible to all ages and abilities” group?  Or the “bucolic park, blackberry bushes and able-bodied walkers only” group? Or some combination, or middle ground? Or something surprisingly different?

My personal prediction is that, at a minimum, we will see an asphalt pathway the full length (9 km), with possibly a few new (or improved) local access paths here and there, so that people with mobility challenges can get to the Greenway’s temporary surface.  My secondary prediction is perhaps a bit elaborate for a temporary surface design, but I would not be surprised to see some dual pathway areas: one side asphalt, the other “gravel” (apparently a slippery word that lay persons like me use to refer quite a large variety of materials).

I’m guessing that the (surprisingly few) intersections of the Arbutus Greenway with motor-vehicle roadways will remain much the same as they currently are.  And I guess that these will change significantly in the final Arbutus Greenway.

And speaking of final designs, here’s a look at a section of one of Vancouver’s oldest and longest Greenways:  the 25-km Central Valley Greenway (large PDF). There are a few things to note in the design of this section of the CVG.  (See photos).  Location is at North Grandview Hwy and E. 11th Ave.

Separated ped / bike areas, with treed boulevard between them and winding sidewalk around mature planted areas.  Seating area (middle right of frame). Motor vehicle bollard, large rocks (car scofflaw discouragers). Sidewalk ramp for those using mobility aids, like the stroller at mid-frame right (top photo). Lamp posts (or is that a sculpture support for a sheet metal crow?)

(Click image for a larger version)

central-valleycentral-valley-2

Arbutus Greenway Consulting Expanded

20 Tuesday Sep 2016

Posted by in Infrastructure, Public spaces, Urban Design, Urban Planning

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Lots of interest, it seems, on this one — consultation on the temporary surface to be applied to the Greenway prior to the start of full-blown consultation on the permanent Greenway design later in the year.

City staff have added opportunities on Sept 24.

arbutus

I strongly prefer that the temporary surface allows all potential Greenway users to get onto the Greenway and try it out, so that the broadest possible range of opinions can be brought forward to the final design. I’m in favour of accessibility for all; and I’m against exclusion in any form.

Come to a public workshop to learn about different temporary pathway options and share your thoughts:

  • Kitsilano. September 17, 1 – 3 pm  (completed)
  • Marpole. September 21, 7 – 9 pm
  • Kerrisdale. September 22, 7 – 9 pm
  • Kitsilano. September 24, 10 am to 12 pm.
  • Kerrisdale. September 24, 3 – 5 pm

Meetings are public but space is limited. For more information and to RVSP, please visit Eventbrite. Each workshop will cover the same materials.

View the information boards PDF file (2.4 MB)

Excerpt from the Information Boards:

Many people think about greenways in the traditional sense of nature trails or pathways through natural areas or along waterfronts.  In Vancouver, they are that and much more.

Transportation greenways are linear public corridors for pedestrians and cyclists that connect parks, nature reserves, cultural features, historic sites, neighbourhoods and retail areas.

The future Arbutus Greenway will encourage people to travel by foot and bike—and ultimately streetcar—and improve access to parks and public green space. In addition to being a transportation corridor, the future greenway will also include features such as lighting, landscaping and seating areas to create a welcoming public space.

Arbutus Greenway – Let’s Talk

08 Thursday Sep 2016

Posted by in Active Transportation, Bicycling, Infrastructure, Public spaces, Transportation, Uncategorized, Urban Design, Urban Planning, Walking

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arbutus-temp

Click HERE to get PDF

 

Temporary Pathway Consultation:  From the City of Vancouver:

The Arbutus Greenway is a future north-south transportation corridor that will connect False Creek to the Fraser River.

In the short term, the City of Vancouver is building a temporary pathway that everyone can enjoy. We’re looking at several different types of hard-surface materials, especially those that that improve safety and accessibility.

Space is limited so RSVP soon HERE, or at arbutusgreenway@vancouver.ca, to participate and have your say.

  • Saturday, September 17th, at the False Creek Community Centre between 1-3pm.
  • Wednesday, September 21st, at the Coast Vancouver Airport Hotel between 7-9pm.
  • Thursday, September 22nd, at the Kerrisdale Community Centre between 7-9pm.

I’ll probably attend.  While I certainly do not expect to have a veto, I will be speaking in favour of a temporary pathway that allows as many potential Greenway users as possible to travel it and imagine their preferred final design. I will oppose exclusion in any form.

More project info HERE, plus a sign-up page for the project newsletter.

Arbutus Greenway: What’s Up?

02 Friday Sep 2016

Posted by in Annals of Cycling, Bicycling

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Had a chance to cycle the Arbutus Greenway from 41st Avenue to Cypress.  As reported, the paving project to provide a temporary hard surface on the old rail right-of-way is on hold – but, one presumes, not permanently.

As the weather changes, the need to hard-surface the route will become abundantly apparent.

Arb Green (1) (Large)

The downhill stretch from 36th to 33rd Avenue is somewhat a challenge for experienced cyclists: loose, rutted and not something you’d want to fall on.  But for most of the unpaved, there was not another person to be seen, whether on wheel or foot.

On the other hand …

Arb Green (3) (Large)

… the paved stretch in the 20s was a pleasure – and there were people there enjoying it.

There hasn’t been an update from the City – and no indication as to whether the rest of the route will be resurfaced by winter.  At a minimum the multiple street crossings in the teens need to be addressed: ambiguous, awkward and unacceptable.

IMG_9361 (Large)

So, anyone know what’s happening?