Southern California - Whittier Greenway Trail

I rode the Whittier Greenway Trail (http://commutebybike.com/2006/12/04/whittier-greenway-trail/) yesterday to get to a meeting. It was really pleasant.



That is all...:)

Hi Alice,

My wife has ridden it, but I have yet to get up that way. Is it fixed-gear friendly?

Rick / OCRR

Hi Alice,

My wife has ridden it, but I have yet to get up that way. Is it fixed-gear friendly?

Rick / OCRR


I was on my mixte, equipped with dual bells.:)

It's a flat, short (5 miles?) MUP complete with dogs, walkers and kids.

Probably more fixed gear friendly than riding to the top of Baldy...:D

I was on my mixte, equipped with dual bells.:)

I'll try it. My fixed gear bike only has one bell, so it will be risky. Someday I hope to have stereo bells like you:)!

Rick / OCRR

I'll try it. My fixed gear bike only has one bell, so it will be risky. Someday I hope to have stereo bells like you:)!

Rick / OCRR



The next run I make to Trader Joe's will be on that path.

I suggested to GP that he move to Whittier...:)

The next run I make to Trader Joe's will be on that path.
I suggested to GP that he move to Whittier...:)

When I go to Trader Joe's (the one on Colima and Whittier) I ride straight up Colima from our house, I think about 2 mi. one way. I lock my bike to the rack right at the exit from Trader Joe's.

Is that the same TJ's for you?

Rick / OCRR

PS: I saw GP at the summit of Palomar last Sunday!

Yes! Same TJ's for me.

I've heard that during the weekdays the trail is pretty empty.

Yes! Same TJ's for me.
I've heard that during the weekdays the trail is pretty empty.

Okay Alice, then maybe I'll take a detour on my next ride to TJ's and try it out. My 3-speed has a bell, but sometimes I ride my wife's single-speed (freewheel, not fixed) and it is bell-less.

And my fixed gear bike is rack-less, so it has to be back-packable (like salad stuff) for me to ride that one.

See you at TJ's or out on the Whittier trail!

Rick / OCRR

I suggested to GP that he move to Whittier...:)
That job fell through. Oh well.

Greenway is definitely stop-and-go, due to streets. Great for building sprint power. Avoid at all costs on weekends. Many idiotic pedestrians. Not sure what it is about SGV walkers (aka wankers), but they all seem inclined to walk 4 abreast.

Too short. I hope they extend it south, as that former train track goes all the way into Placentia, right by my friend's house.

Or better yet, how about extending it another couple hundred feet into the SGRT! That would make life a lot easier, since I ride in SGR all the time.

Then again, it might introduce a bunch of noobies and children onto the SGRT, opening another can of worms.

Some info here (http://www.cityofwhittier.org/content/Greenway.html):

Whittier has compeleted initial construction on the Greenway Trail, a five-mile bicycle/pedestrian trail which replaces an abandoned railroad right-of-way. The official dedication of the trail is planned for Saturday, January 10, 2009 at Palm Park.

The Greenway Trail begins in the northwest corner of Whittier, near the 605 Freeway, and will closely parallel Whittier Boulevard. When it reaches Painter Avenue, it travels along Lambert Road to Mills Avenue, which is where the abandoned right-of-way ends. There is an active rail line traveling east from Mills to the City limits, and Whittier hopes to eventually acquire an easement along this line to take the trail to the City limits and link the Greenway to Orange County.

Community participation is a very important part of the Greenway Trail development. A community meeting was held in May 2002 to acquaint residents with the project and receive their input. A trail design team was selected by City Council in December 2002 and worked with a Task Force to develop conceptual and preliminary designs. A community-wide public meeting about the project was held in February 2003 at the Whittier Senior Center.

Actual construction of the Greenway Trail began in fall 2006, and initial construction of the trail was completed in October 2008.

The Greenway Trail is included in the Los Angeles County Metropolitan Transportation Authority's (LACMTA) "Southeast Area Bicycle Master Plan." The trail passes through residential, commercial, industrial and institutional land uses in Whittier, connecting these various elements of the community and allowing residents and visitors to hike or bike through town.

Special benefits of the Greenway Trail to the City include alleviating traffic congestion, improving air quality and providing a scenic greenbelt area through the center of Whittier. The trail will also provide increased safety for those who prefer to bike or walk to their destinations. The Greenway connects with the local and regional bus systems, including Whittier Transit (operated by Norwalk Transit), MTA, Foothill Transit, Montebello Bus Lines and Norwalk Transit.

The cost to purchase the abandoned Union Pacific right-of-way was $3.2 million, and the City closed escrow in December 2001. Construction costs of the trail was approximately $8 million. All acquisition and development funds come from state and federal sources. The bulk of the money for the project has come from Los Angeles County Metropolitan Transportation Authority and Caltrans grants. Also, the State has contributed more than $2.3 million, primarily through bond funds.Notice the contact info after the link jump.

Greenway Trail Brochure. (http://www.cityofwhittier.org/pdfs/2008-brochure-greenway-trail3.pdf)

Rode up there today from Anaheim. It'll really be beautiful once those trees get some growth on them, but I'd like to see some drinking fountains and benches. I was there about midday, and saw maybe 2 dozen people on the trail.

Greenway is definitely stop-and-go, due to streets. Great for building sprint power. Avoid at all costs on weekends. Many idiotic pedestrians. Not sure what it is about SGV walkers (aka wankers), but they all seem inclined to walk 4 abreast.

Too short. I hope they extend it south, as that former train track goes all the way into Placentia, right by my friend's house.

Or better yet, how about extending it another couple hundred feet into the SGRT! That would make life a lot easier, since I ride in SGR all the time.


+1 Especially the walkers who haven't figured out the signs indicating pedestrians are supposed to walk on the gravel, leaving the *bike lane* for bikes. Whoa, who knew? Avoid at late evening on warm days, too. Other than that, it's a great help for my commuting, I stay off Whittier Blvd where it's most dangerous. Cool that cars stop for bikes at the stopsigns.

The reason that it stops just short of SGRT is that the guy who owns the railroad bridge over the 605 and the bit of property on the Pico Rivera side is a doofus isn't selling. So both cities have denied him development, so there's an impasse.

The plan is to buy out that SGRT connector property and also the RR right of way to the south-east in Whittier and La Habra when the railroad is willing to sell. That track may also be valuable as a potential metro rail or metrolink line (which would probably have a bike lane as well). Doesn't look like the purchase will happen anytime soon, though - they still run occasional trains on the track, and La Habra is not very far along in obtaining money for the ROW purchase.

Came back from a 30 miler via Greenway Tuesday evening. So crowded, idiots and their kids with no idea how to walk on a bike trail. As hairy as it can be getting into/out of SGRT via Beverly, maybe I would prefer Greenway doesn't connect to the SGRT, lest their be big wheels and people walking dogs with 10' leashes scampering about.

Interesting info about the proposed SE expansion though. I wish CA or LAC would mandate the use/acquisition of RR tracks and rivers/drainage ditches for bike lanes. You could grid all of SoCal.

My main wish list is actually the San Jose River/Puente Creek (the trail that runs by Fry's). It just plain ends at 7th street, even though there are paved trails all the way to Azuza at least. Someone not getting it done in Industry. I'd also love to see a SGRT connection. Any idea who runs that trail?


+1 Especially the walkers who haven't figured out the signs indicating pedestrians are supposed to walk on the gravel, leaving the *bike lane* for bikes. Whoa, who knew? Avoid at late evening on warm days, too. Other than that, it's a great help for my commuting, I stay off Whittier Blvd where it's most dangerous. Cool that cars stop for bikes at the stopsigns.

The reason that it stops just short of SGRT is that the guy who owns the railroad bridge over the 605 and the bit of property on the Pico Rivera side is a doofus isn't selling. So both cities have denied him development, so there's an impasse.

The plan is to buy out that SGRT connector property and also the RR right of way to the south-east in Whittier and La Habra when the railroad is willing to sell. That track may also be valuable as a potential metro rail or metrolink line (which would probably have a bike lane as well). Doesn't look like the purchase will happen anytime soon, though - they still run occasional trains on the track, and La Habra is not very far along in obtaining money for the ROW purchase.

My main wish list is actually the San Jose River/Puente Creek (the trail that runs by Fry's). It just plain ends at 7th street, even though there are paved trails all the way to Azuza at least. Someone not getting it done in Industry. I'd also love to see a SGRT connection. Any idea who runs that trail?

For the path along the SJ creek, like everything along the eastern LA County channels, I believe it's the WCA (Watershed Conservation Authority - joint project of the SG & RH Rivers Conservancy and the LA County Flood Control District). Here's a link to their website & meetings:

http://watershedconservationauthority.org/board/next_meeting.html


I'm pretty sure that that to the west, where it cuts off at Workman Mill, I think - that connector should be included in the planned Duck Farm park. Surprisingly, the Duck Farm property is just about all of the SG River east bank from Valley Blvd to the SJ creek - a big park, about a mile long. It includes not only the old Duck Farm, but the area that a gardening supply/grower is currently using. The catch is that the park is on the east side of the SG River, and the bike path is on the west side - so they're going to have to build some bridges. I'd expect that phase 2 will extend the SJ creek path to cross over to the north side of SJ creek at Workman Mill to connect into the phase 2 park when they get to it.

http://watershedconservationauthority.org/plans/duck-farm/Site%20Plan.pdf (http://watershedconservationauthority.org/plans/duck-farm/Site%20Plan.pdf)


There's also a plan to lay more bike paths along the Coyote creek channels, too. As all of this depends on money, these plans move at such a glacially slow pace that most people think nothing is happening.

BTW, the MTA is well aware of the railroad right-of-ways, and has jumped on them when they get the chance to buy - and seems to do a good job installing bike lanes, e.g. the MTA Orange Line and Expo line, both of which have bike lanes. The Expo line should give us a bike lane from central L.A. all the way to the Ballona bike path to the beach ! And of course the Whittier Greenway was actually purchased with mostly MTA and Caltrans money.

Is it fixed-gear friendly?
NO. No it's not! I heard there are police with riot gear, infrared sensors, breathalizers and K9 units. Also roadies with uncool derailleurs and carbon fibre.

(Whew that was a close one. Once the fixies establish a beachhead, it's only a matter of time before the trail is eye-deep in cigarette butts, graffiti, and misplaced facial piercing studs.)

Hi Chris,

Well yes, I do ride fixed gear, but no worries about your listed concerns since I don't smoke, don't spray graffiti and don't have any pierced parts (or tatoos, which you meant to include, but forgot).

Plus, I'm roughly twice the med. age of most "fixie" riders.

Also have yet to see Police with Riot gear, etc. So no worries, right?

Rick / OCRR

Oh okay, but if I show up at the Whittier trail hoping to see your skinny-boy pants and the top-half of your @$$crack, will I be disappointed? :p

My main wish list is actually the San Jose River/Puente Creek (the trail that runs by Fry's). It just plain ends at 7th street, even though there are paved trails all the way to Azuza at least. Someone not getting it done in Industry. I'd also love to see a SGRT connection. Any idea who runs that trail?


There was a thread here once asking cyclists for planning input about that trail, but I can't find it now...

Jesus bixnix, you are better than Google.

I did see on a WCA sign in the RHRT that they intend/propose to connect SGR and RHR somewhere north. Would be a helluva lot safer than using Live Oak and/or Arrow.

A SJR connection to SGR would be nice, but only if they extend it to Azuza. I'd think CoI would want as many visitors (aka, shoppers) as they can get.

I was looking at Ballona on Bikely the other day. Amazing how few dedicated trails there are in central LA.


For the path along the SJ creek, like everything along the eastern LA County channels, I believe it's the WCA (Watershed Conservation Authority - joint project of the SG & RH Rivers Conservancy and the LA County Flood Control District). Here's a link to their website & meetings:

http://watershedconservationauthority.org/board/next_meeting.html


I'm pretty sure that that to the west, where it cuts off at Workman Mill, I think - that connector should be included in the planned Duck Farm park. Surprisingly, the Duck Farm property is just about all of the SG River east bank from Valley Blvd to the SJ creek - a big park, about a mile long. It includes not only the old Duck Farm, but the area that a gardening supply/grower is currently using. The catch is that the park is on the east side of the SG River, and the bike path is on the west side - so they're going to have to build some bridges. I'd expect that phase 2 will extend the SJ creek path to cross over to the north side of SJ creek at Workman Mill to connect into the phase 2 park when they get to it.

http://watershedconservationauthority.org/plans/duck-farm/Site%20Plan.pdf (http://watershedconservationauthority.org/plans/duck-farm/Site%20Plan.pdf)


There's also a plan to lay more bike paths along the Coyote creek channels, too. As all of this depends on money, these plans move at such a glacially slow pace that most people think nothing is happening.

BTW, the MTA is well aware of the railroad right-of-ways, and has jumped on them when they get the chance to buy - and seems to do a good job installing bike lanes, e.g. the MTA Orange Line and Expo line, both of which have bike lanes. The Expo line should give us a bike lane from central L.A. all the way to the Ballona bike path to the beach ! And of course the Whittier Greenway was actually purchased with mostly MTA and Caltrans money.

Biggest waste ever. The trail is already paved! The gate is just locked. I suspect it might be for environmental cleanup reasons, something toxic maybe, can't recall. I've been wanting to give someone a piece of my mind for years, just not sure who to contact.


There was a thread here once asking cyclists for planning input about that trail, but I can't find it now...

OK here is the post from user "Blakeroo (http://www.bikeforums.net/member.php?u=154188)":


Hi All SGV bikers.
I'm working on a master plan for trails along the San Jose Creek. I've talked to a lot of equestrians in the area, but have not had much contact with bikers to find out what they would like to see. If anyone has any comments I'd love to hear from you.

If you don't know San Jose Creek (and many people don't), it starts off as Thompson Creek in Claremont, runs through Pomona and City of Industry and meets the San Gabriel River just above the Whittier Narrows Dam.

My questions are:
Would you use the trail?
What for (commuting, recreation, training)?
When?
What obstacles do you find?
etc.
Thanks, Blake

BTW I work for the Los Angeles & San Gabriel Rivers Watershed Council and am doing this project in conjunction with LA County Public Works.

Thanks Alice! Looks like he hasn't been back since Feb, but I e-mailed him.

Of course no cyclists use the trail, as it is only a couple miles. But extend it to Azuza and connect it to SGRT, and people would be all over that. I'd think Fry's and other CoI businesses would be all for it.

:commute:

It is amazing how many rivers creeks and channels go to waste if you look around LA and OC counties on Bikely.


OK here is the post from user "Blakeroo (http://www.bikeforums.net/member.php?u=154188)":


Hi All SGV bikers.
I'm working on a master plan for trails along the San Jose Creek. I've talked to a lot of equestrians in the area, but have not had much contact with bikers to find out what they would like to see. If anyone has any comments I'd love to hear from you.

If you don't know San Jose Creek (and many people don't), it starts off as Thompson Creek in Claremont, runs through Pomona and City of Industry and meets the San Gabriel River just above the Whittier Narrows Dam.

My questions are:
Would you use the trail?
What for (commuting, recreation, training)?
When?
What obstacles do you find?
etc.
Thanks, Blake

BTW I work for the Los Angeles & San Gabriel Rivers Watershed Council and am doing this project in conjunction with LA County Public Works.

The trail is about what, three miles?

I've used it to go to Fry's before....

It's 2.1:

Extent of San Jose Creek bike trail (http://www.bikely.com/maps/bike-path/350893).

0.6 miles short of SGRT.


The trail is about what, three miles?

I've used it to go to Fry's before....

Oh okay, but if I show up at the Whittier trail hoping to see your skinny-boy pants and the top-half of your @$$crack, will I be disappointed? :p



I can show you how to do a down and dirty conversion on your Masi....:D

I did see on a WCA sign in the RHRT that they intend/propose to connect SGR and RHR somewhere north. Would be a helluva lot safer than using Live Oak and/or Arrow.

I see it on the emerald necklace map at Lashbrook Park - where that 70 year old cyclist got beaten the other day. It shows a dotted line indicating the proposed route between the two rivers, but no specifics on exactly where that is. I'd guess it's to the south of Live Oak and to the south of the Irwindale Speedway when those gravel companies are done digging their hole to China :lol:.

I talked to some coordinator for the RH bikepath the other week when they shut the gates due to overflow water from those gravel pits... told him that they need to get those paths repaved (shovel-ready work!) as those cracks are pretty huge and damaging. Also told him that they need better signage when they decide to close the trails. He seemed to be attentive to all the issues I brought up.

Holy crap, I hadn't even heard of that attack. Damned thugs. I may have seen this guy walking around before right at that park. I hope he heals OK, and that someone shoots those thugs.

I'd love a safe RHR-SGR connector that wasn't too far south. Obviously, you can connect via Whittier Narrows, but that cuts out ~25 miles of loop.


I see it on the emerald necklace map at Lashbrook Park - where that 70 year old cyclist got beaten the other day. It shows a dotted line indicating the proposed route between the two rivers, but no specifics on exactly where that is. I'd guess it's to the south of Live Oak and to the south of the Irwindale Speedway when those gravel companies are done digging their hole to China :lol:.

I talked to some coordinator for the RH bikepath the other week when they shut the gates due to overflow water from those gravel pits... told him that they need to get those paths repaved (shovel-ready work!) as those cracks are pretty huge and damaging. Also told him that they need better signage when they decide to close the trails. He seemed to be attentive to all the issues I brought up.

I talked to some coordinator for the RH bikepath the other week when they shut the gates due to overflow water from those gravel pits... told him that they need to get those paths repaved (shovel-ready work!) as those cracks are pretty huge and damaging. Also told him that they need better signage when they decide to close the trails. He seemed to be attentive to all the issues I brought up.

Locking those gates at all is such a joke. There are several open places where people can get in if they want to badly enough.

It only makes it more difficult to use the path as a bicycle commuter. Santa Anita is a more dangerous route to have to use to access the busway...

Locking those gates at all is such a joke. There are several open places where people can get in if they want to badly enough.

Mmmm let me explain a little better...

the locking of the gates had nothing to do with criminals - what happened was that they locked the gates to the Rio Hondo in a certain area due to an emergency release of gravel pit water above Peck Reservoir - but didn't put a sign on the trail that the gates were shut ahead. So, I was commuting to work, noticing the waterflow, but when I needed to hop off the RH, I found that the gates were locked. After a bit of searching, I found a nearby gate that wasn't locked, so I didn't have to hop the fence. I vented to the coordinator that if they were going to shut the gates, at least warn us riders who are already on the trail so that we can exit the river and avoid hopping the fence. And pave those paths again!!

I was told they lock the gates for safety reasons whenever there is a threat of rain or they need to release water for any reason. They are afraid someone will go down into the river bed and get swept away.

There are huge holes in the fence that people have created so they can use the path whenever they need to (in addition to ungated areas)..

As far as advance warning there is none that I know of.