Arbutus Amble: A crosstown stroll

Have you ever wondered what it would be like to walk across the city? Been curious as to what’s going on with all the fuss regarding the Arbutus Corridor? Have you ever wanted to check out all the beautiful gardens and views from this abandoned rail corridor, as it slices across Vancouver from north to south? Now’s your chance!

Join the Vancouver Public Space Network for our 3rd Annual Urban Hike series, this time in the form of the Arbutus Amble. We’re planning to walk along the entire Arbutus Corridor, from Granville Island to Marpole, to enjoy the beautiful gardens and pocket greenspaces that have been nurtured next to the tracks, and to explore the diversity of verdant neighbourhoods that the route passes through. We’ll also be on the look-out for what changes (if any) CP Rail has made to the gardens now that the July 31 deadline has passed, and residents have been told to remove their gardens and belongings from the railway’s land.

Please note that this is not a ‘guided tour’, per se, but rather a ‘communal crosstown stroll.’ Everyone is welcome to join, so please invite your friends and neighbours who are up for the adventure. We estimate that it will take between 3-4 hours to walk the full route. (So be sure to where appropriate footwear!) We’ll start at Granville Island, and walk along the rail corridor south, finishing at the Marpole bus loop at SW Marine Drive and Hudson.

Here’s all the details you need to know:

START: Meet at the Granville Island Station of the (former) Olympic Line, right next to the entrance to Granville Island.

WHAT TO BRING: Bring: good shoes, your camera, sunscreen and water, and your friends!