This is a good observation. But I do think Toronto has long walkable park-like spaces, if you know where to find them. For example, the walk up the Humber river is interrupted only at Old Mill by a very minor street. I have been on longer urban hikes in Toronto too in the ravines. Though I don't doubt that other cities have done it better.
We are very fortunate to have many bodies of water (canals, rivers, lakes) in Berlin, my hometown, and lots of walks along those. You are right that walks among bodies of water are very relaxing.
Well articulated Reece! Of note is that such paths are also useful for cyclists, hence the need for paths as wide as practical. Especially if they are near downtown or popular areas like next to water, as these tend to become quite crowded. Some cities, including Toronto & Santa Monica, then create separate walking & cycling paths to segregate these two modes for less conflict.
Converted railway walking/cycling trails are general examples of what Reece discusses (although personally I believe they should have highest capacity transport mode possible, be actual urban passenger rail, LRT, or streetcar/tram, with a side path for pedestrians & cyclists if wide enough.
Note too the need for good intermodal connexions as much as possible, to transit and to recreational, educational, & work areas. Just like transit networks, the benefits of pedestrian corridors are multiplied when connected to other such corridors.
For me, it's also a noise thing. Cars are really loud. Due to the constant exposure in urban environments, it's easy to forget this. But having just the tiniest bit of separation from that makes a huge difference.
I agree. There is this busy four-lane road not too far from my house that has a great multiuse-sidewalk. I am talking a wide two-way multi use trail on both sides of the road! However, as I mentioned it is right beside a four lane road so the walk is unpleasant and loud. On the other hand, one of my best strolling experience's is a rather long walk that I did in a central Mississauga park where there was a small stream running beside the walking path. The path wasn't very wide but I loved it because it was separated from car traffic and noise.
Regant's Canal looks like and absoulte pleasure to walk beside! Bonus points for the little boats. Is the canal crowded with boats or are they only an occasinal sight?
“...pedestrians should be able to walk continuously without being held up by wide streets or even needing to look both ways to cross narrow ones.”
I know I’m taking “look both ways” very literally here, but I think this is part of what makes the pedestrian experience in much of Manhattan so great, even on the regular street grid. If you’re walking up one of the avenues, you can comfortably cross several one-lane one-ways while only checking on direction. It’s only every dozen blocks or so that you actually hit a wider cross street where you have to stop and wait for a crosswalk.
Speaking of what you were actually writing about, the Hudson waterfront is an excellent example since for most of the island there are two parallel trails, one right down by the water, and one further up the hillside.
BTW. They remove trees from expressways because they may cause injury to motorists. Vision Zero recommends trees along a roadway to "slow the drivers down".
This is a good observation. But I do think Toronto has long walkable park-like spaces, if you know where to find them. For example, the walk up the Humber river is interrupted only at Old Mill by a very minor street. I have been on longer urban hikes in Toronto too in the ravines. Though I don't doubt that other cities have done it better.
Oh it certainly does! But I’d say the River is just like a lot of these places I’m talking about!
Whether you're on a barge or cycling or walking along side the canal, canals are tranquil and beautiful places that should be preserved.
Absolutely, and historic!
We are very fortunate to have many bodies of water (canals, rivers, lakes) in Berlin, my hometown, and lots of walks along those. You are right that walks among bodies of water are very relaxing.
Berlin does a great job with them indeed! Especially nice when you can see the various transit systems passing over!
Well articulated Reece! Of note is that such paths are also useful for cyclists, hence the need for paths as wide as practical. Especially if they are near downtown or popular areas like next to water, as these tend to become quite crowded. Some cities, including Toronto & Santa Monica, then create separate walking & cycling paths to segregate these two modes for less conflict.
Converted railway walking/cycling trails are general examples of what Reece discusses (although personally I believe they should have highest capacity transport mode possible, be actual urban passenger rail, LRT, or streetcar/tram, with a side path for pedestrians & cyclists if wide enough.
Note too the need for good intermodal connexions as much as possible, to transit and to recreational, educational, & work areas. Just like transit networks, the benefits of pedestrian corridors are multiplied when connected to other such corridors.
Absolutely, when you have a web of such interconnected corridors that’s really something special! Toronto is surprisingly close to this!
For me, it's also a noise thing. Cars are really loud. Due to the constant exposure in urban environments, it's easy to forget this. But having just the tiniest bit of separation from that makes a huge difference.
I agree. There is this busy four-lane road not too far from my house that has a great multiuse-sidewalk. I am talking a wide two-way multi use trail on both sides of the road! However, as I mentioned it is right beside a four lane road so the walk is unpleasant and loud. On the other hand, one of my best strolling experience's is a rather long walk that I did in a central Mississauga park where there was a small stream running beside the walking path. The path wasn't very wide but I loved it because it was separated from car traffic and noise.
This is something Calgary does very well and can/should build around for years to come.
Regant's Canal looks like and absoulte pleasure to walk beside! Bonus points for the little boats. Is the canal crowded with boats or are they only an occasinal sight?
“...pedestrians should be able to walk continuously without being held up by wide streets or even needing to look both ways to cross narrow ones.”
I know I’m taking “look both ways” very literally here, but I think this is part of what makes the pedestrian experience in much of Manhattan so great, even on the regular street grid. If you’re walking up one of the avenues, you can comfortably cross several one-lane one-ways while only checking on direction. It’s only every dozen blocks or so that you actually hit a wider cross street where you have to stop and wait for a crosswalk.
Speaking of what you were actually writing about, the Hudson waterfront is an excellent example since for most of the island there are two parallel trails, one right down by the water, and one further up the hillside.
Wait a minute!! There isn't a walkway along the Don Valley Parkway? One would have thought a "Parkway" would include a walkway along the "Parkway"!
🤣😱
BTW. They remove trees from expressways because they may cause injury to motorists. Vision Zero recommends trees along a roadway to "slow the drivers down".