Arbutus Corridor Part 2 – the ‘Arbutus Amble’
One of the many beautifully kept community gardens found along the Arbutus Corridor. Photo: Neal Jennings
Our August ‘Arbutus Amble’ along the currently disused Canadian Pacific Railway tracks was a diverse and interesting trail. Surrounding the approximately 9km Arbutus rail corridor from Granville Island to the Marpole Loop (at South West Marine Drive), were industrial lands with new condos popping up, single family residential areas, parks, a transit depot, and Kerrisdale’s commercial centre.
An industrial part of the Arbutus line – near Granville Island. Photo: Neal Jennings
The most striking and heartwarming sights were the lovingly kept community gardens, which on our August amble were sprouting ample crops of vegetables, herbs, and flowers. The largest collection of community gardens were parallel to 6th Avenue, between 50th-57th, around 65th-68th, and to the south of Marine Drive [which was the area cleared by CP on Thursday 14th August 2014]. There were barbeques, greenhouses, water buckets, bee hives, planted toilets, and picnic benches, together highlighting decades of maintenance, improvement, care, and community growth.
One of the many community gardens along the Arbutus Corridor. Photo: Neal Jennings
There was also ample evidence of CP Railway’s threat to run freight trains on the corridor again, with warning signs on top of tall posts, and warning notices attached to individual plots at ground level. Most of the gardens were at a distance from the tracks, though some closer gardens had orange lines boldly sprayed over their green leaves and planting bags. There were also sprayed spots on sunken sleepers, and cut back brambles strewn across the way at the far south of the route, suggesting some initial surveying by CP had begun.
CP Rail’s orange spray paint line. Photo: Neal Jennings
However with many more overgrown brambles, some rotting rail sleepers, and partially cemented tracks at crossings, there would be a lot more maintenance needed before freight trains could return to these tracks. Without an obvious nearby industrial or commercial customer, it is also unclear how any maintenance investment could be financially viable for CP.
Similar investment would be required to accommodate a cycling and a walking trail accessible to everyone, not just hardy ambles like us who were undeterred by a fair number of shin scratches. At a minimum bramble and sleeper removal, and marked crosswalks for at least the busiest streets would be a required. Planting barren segments that were little more than parched roadside verges, could also add appeal, and some much needed shade too.
Walking the line. Photo: Neal Jennings
A notable tree lined section was as we wound our way along the ridge, between King Edward and 37th Avenues. Equally pleasant here was the almost unnoticeable incline of the trail, while steep cliffs emerged above, and panoramic views appeared below. In this particular section at least, it was easy to imagine cyclists being highly appreciative of these slight gradients, especially when considering existing routes. A walking and cycling route here could also connect Quilchena Park to Point Grey Secondary School and Kerrisdale Town Centre, so could be well used.
Along the ridge. Photo: Neal Jennings
The very same ridge would make a slower and windier transit route than the current Arbutus bus route, and the buses that did pass us on a summer Saturday were far from full. However in the long term, the City of Vancouver envisions light rail rapid transit returning to the corridor, for the first time since the 1950s when the interurban trams were discontinued. Today the proliferation of multimillion dollar single family homes lining the route, suggests there will not be a high enough population density to support such a transit route any time soon.
A community garden and neighbourhood gathering space. Photo: Neal Jennings
Perhaps one day this diverse corridor can serve a single purpose again, whether as a freight or transit corridor, or a walking and cycling trail. In the mean time it seems people and communities will continue to make the corridor work for them, dividing it up into a patchwork of uses that already makes for an enjoyable urban hike. On our amble we saw gardeners, sun worshipers, berry pickers, joggers, families and young children cycling, all enjoying a succession of enheralded public spaces. Ideally it would be great to see these activities continue, and further encouraged, while also improving access for a greater number of people too.
Scarecrow and eviction notice. Photo: Neal Jennings