The Greenway Trail is a five mile long bicycle and pedestrian trail in Whittier that was built in place of an unused railroad right-of-way owned by Union Pacific. It runs between Norwalk Boulevard and Mills Avenue; quite a length of it is largely visible from Lambert Road between Painter and Mills Avenues.
Start Your Day with a Bike Ride
Last week a couple came to me for a portrait and together we determined that Whittier’s new Greenway Trail was a big part of their life. So at 7:00 on a Saturday morning I met them to do their portrait as they rode their bikes on the smooth, paved trail.
A local Adventure
Since I was planning to do a story of the trail anyway, I took the opportunity to take a few more images while doing their portrait. It was incredible. We started at Greenleaf Avenue and took a series of photos on the bridge at five points. It was a lot of fun; there were so many people walking, jogging, bicycling and skateboarding. Families, individuals, couples and friends had a common goal of enjoying the day while getting some exercise. We rode to Palm Park, where there is a lot of luscious foliage, and also the only restroom stop I was able to find. With all the new landscaping in place, one can see that the trail will live up to its “Greenway” name, in time.
A Quality Trail
More than just a trail, the length of the Greenway has wide, paved bike lanes that will accommodate anything with wheels (non-motorized). For walking, there are dirt walkways that are graded specifically for pedestrian traffic. This is perfect for walking or jogging with a softer surface; easier on both human and dog feet. Since at certain points the dirt trail ends for a bridge or road crossing, people are courteous to yield to the faster bicycle traffic.
Dogs are Welcome
It seems that most Whittier parks that have facilities are largely “dog free” zones, so it was great to learn I can bring my dog for a walk on the Trail. There's no reason to go to other cities to walk my dog in a park anymore. Bring your doggy clean-up supplies if you bring your pet, as I saw no evidence that bags are being provided.
A Friendly Place
My favorite thing about the trail is that people seem to be friendlier. I like to say hi or good morning to people and this is a place where you will get favorable responses. Don’t you feel better when you greet strangers and get a smile and greeting in return? It is a great way to start the day.
Take a Hike
I discovered that the Trail is a great place for a bike ride or a walk with my dog. I hope to take more photographs in the near future so the community can see the value of this great venue for recreation. It will be interesting to document the improvements as the landscaping grows. Already, people are coming from other cities to enjoy our new park, which I see as a good measure of success. Maybe one day I will see you on the Greenway Trail!
The Greenway Trail in Whittier
