The cool techies like to go on photowalks, but considering I did this while cycling through Cloverdale, I figured I’d mix up the title a lil.
Cloverdale has been going through some pretty big changes in the past few years, and one of the spinoffs of said development has been the expansion of the multi-use pathways in the community. These pathways now almost extend the length of 64th Ave from 165 St to 180 St.
The recent extensions allowed me to enjoy a rather nice 20 min bike ride from my home to Northview, and back again.
The disappointing part was hitting the dykes along the Serpentine. The dykes were raised a couple years ago, and they seemed to have used what amounts to clay. It’s terrible to walk in and even worse to bike in.
And this is the annoying thing. That the city’s policy puts very minimal yearly money towards the greenways plan, and we end up with sporadic pathways for years until enough have been completed to create a feasible enough route to travel. Certainly not very supportive of cycling as a form of transport or recreation.
If they just put some money into it! All it really amounts to, at least along the dykes, is a little bit of asphalt and you’re done!
I will also mention that, while it wasn’t anything like cycling through the park, going down the pathway next to 64th was, at the very least, quite safe. The pathway is wide and physically separated from the traffic, so I had no worries about collisions with the cars. However, the noise pollution is absolutely terrible. Nor is the design much to enjoy. These two problems are somewhat solved with some greenery separating the pathway from the road – greenery that was patchy, but sometimes existent along the route.
Check out the pics and maybe you’ll want to join me for a ride sometime 
Created with Admarket’s flickrSLiDR.
Paul, you should have dropped by and said hi! j/k
I never considered that stretch of 168th to actually be something that’s meant for walking. I’ve been tempted to walk it, like today, but apparently it would take 45 minutes… yikes. Maybe a nice walk, though. Some gravel would really be sufficient, I think. I’m not very fond of asphalt and in a treeless area like that it would get very hot. But you’re right, a simple, reasonably cheap solution would do lots… and maybe then it would actually get used more.
I never knew there was a pond in the amphitheatre!
Your phototour sure shows how Cloverdale is still a small town in a big city. But I don’t think it can entirely retain its small-town country charm, at least as it looks today, while still moving forward in the world. I’ve heard they’re going to spruce up the town centre, which to me is the only place something’s done right. Narrow, walkable street, lots of little shops and some 2-storey buildings. They’re on the right track!
If I had a bike here I would love to join you on a ride!