Once again Cloverdale is hosting a big Canada Day celebration at the Cloverdale Millennium Park which has been renamed Bill Reid Millennium Park. The Millennium Park is located on the corner of 176th Street and 64th Avenue.
The gates open at 10am and the festivities end around 10:30pm with the fireworks.
This year's featured performers are Blue Rodeo at 9pm. More information on the entertainment line up can be found here http://www.surrey.ca/canadaday/42.aspx
In past years over 100,000 people have been in attendance so the big question is where to find parking in a town that's going to become a traffic nightmare. Free parking at the Cloverdale Fairgrounds, enter off 60th Avenue, east of 176th Street. They usually open up the racetrack for parking. This usually fills up at some point in the afternoon on July 1 and the lot is closed. People also look for parking west of 176th Street in the subdivision between 60th Avenue and 64th Avenue. There is a park and a school in the area and the gates are open for cars. Lord Tweedsmuir on 180th Street and 60th Avenue has the gates open for parking too and not too many people park here until its time for the fireworks. It's a good spot to sit on the football field and watch them from.
Surrey's fast moving parking enforcement officers are all over Cloverdale on Canada Day making big bucks in fines. Make sure you don't park in a 2 hour parking zone if you're going to be away from your car longer than that. Other normal rules of the road apply. I see cars with tickets because they parked too close to a stop sign or they parked the opposite way from the traffic direction or they parked in a no parking zone. Don't even think of parking in the Cloverdale Crossing Mall across the street from the Millennium Park. They put up big signs at each entrance warning people there is no special event parking. And they hire security guards to watch where people are going when they get out of their car. If you go into a business, no problem. If you walk across the street, they'll call a tow truck. Don't risk parking, going into Tim Horton's and then cross the street with your goodies. The security guards might not see you, but if you leave your car there too long it'll be towed.
So there you have it. Plenty of free parking around Cloverdale, just do it legally.
Now for the big traffic nightmare part around Cloverdale, getting out. If you don't want to see the fireworks, then get moving. If you stay for the fireworks getting out of Cloverdale requires lots of patience. Around 10pm the police close off 176th Street between 57th Avenue and 64th Avenue. This is due to pedestrian safety. The streets will be clogged with people walking back to their cars. For some reason drivers think it's a good idea to head into one of the subdivisions and go around in circles and then end up back where the street is closed. Your best bet wherever you are is to head east to get out of Cloverdale even if its a bit out of your way because most everyone else is heading west. Drive up to 184th Street. From there head to either Highway 10 or Fraser Highway or further along if that suits your destination better. The farther away you get from Cloverdale the lesser the traffic, so don't try to navigate any of the subdivisions close to the fairgrounds unless you like circling back to where you started from.
Happy Canada Day!
Showing posts with label Cloverdale Crossing Mall. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Cloverdale Crossing Mall. Show all posts
Wednesday, June 24, 2015
Monday, June 30, 2014
Cloverdale Canada Day Party July 1 2014
Once again Cloverdale is hosting Surrey's big Canada Day bash at the Millennium Park on the corner of 176th Street and 64th Avenue.
The festivities start at 10am and continue until 10:30pm or until the fireworks end.
There'll be performers and amusement park rides and other activities going on all day. For more information, see Surrey's Canada Day web page http://www.surrey.ca/canadaday/default.aspx
With 100,000 attendees showing up at past Canada Day celebrations, the best option is to walk if you live close enough. Or take transit. For everyone else, the big question is where to park. The most convenient place is the Cloverdale Fairgrounds, parking lot entrances off 60th Avenue between 176th and 177B Streets. They open up the racetrack for lots more parking. Even with hundreds of parking spots available on the grounds, they'll probably all be spoken for by mid-day. Parking is free. Other parking options are the residential streets west of 176th Street between 60th and 64th Avenues. The parking lot at Lord Tweedsmuir High School is open but mostly the people parking there are the ones catching the fireworks at the end of the day.
Whatever you do, don't park in the Cloverdale Crossing Shopping Centre on 64th Avenue across the street from the park. The mall puts up signs at the entrances warning people not to leave their cars there to attend events or they'll be towed. The mall hires security guards who watch where people go when they get out of their cars. If you go to a business to buy something, no problem. If you park and walk across the street to the Canada Day celebrations, you might be hiring a taxi for the drive home.
Happy Canada Day everyone!
The festivities start at 10am and continue until 10:30pm or until the fireworks end.
There'll be performers and amusement park rides and other activities going on all day. For more information, see Surrey's Canada Day web page http://www.surrey.ca/canadaday/default.aspx
With 100,000 attendees showing up at past Canada Day celebrations, the best option is to walk if you live close enough. Or take transit. For everyone else, the big question is where to park. The most convenient place is the Cloverdale Fairgrounds, parking lot entrances off 60th Avenue between 176th and 177B Streets. They open up the racetrack for lots more parking. Even with hundreds of parking spots available on the grounds, they'll probably all be spoken for by mid-day. Parking is free. Other parking options are the residential streets west of 176th Street between 60th and 64th Avenues. The parking lot at Lord Tweedsmuir High School is open but mostly the people parking there are the ones catching the fireworks at the end of the day.
Whatever you do, don't park in the Cloverdale Crossing Shopping Centre on 64th Avenue across the street from the park. The mall puts up signs at the entrances warning people not to leave their cars there to attend events or they'll be towed. The mall hires security guards who watch where people go when they get out of their cars. If you go to a business to buy something, no problem. If you park and walk across the street to the Canada Day celebrations, you might be hiring a taxi for the drive home.
Happy Canada Day everyone!
Saturday, June 22, 2013
Cloverdale Canada Day Party July 1, 2013
The City of Surrey and Cloverdale host Canada Day celebrations at the Millennium Park on the corner of 176th Street and 64th Avenue. It's a free event from 10am to about 10:30pm or whenever the fireworks end. There will be entertainers and singers all day, amusement park rides, about 50 exhibitors/vendors, and food concessions.
The headline act, musical group Platinum Blonde, will take to the stage at 9pm, the last act of the night. When they're done the fireworks show starts.
For more information about the Canada Day celebrations, check their website http://www.surrey.ca/canadaday/default.aspx
Now on to the stuff people really want to know about - where to park and how to get around Cloverdale, or this busy intersection, especially once the fireworks have ended!
Free parking at the Cloverdale Fairgrounds. Enter off 60th Avenue at 177B Street. They open up the racetrack for cars to park there. Limited parking next door at Greenaway Park, about 20 spots, but by this time its a fair hike to get to the Millennium Park.
Don't think about parking at the old Cloverdale Mall on the corner of the Cloverdale Bypass between 57th and 58th Avenues. They're building there, or will be. So far only ground work done. There's a big fence around the property. Off 58th Avenue there's about 30 parking lots in 2 different areas that aren't fenced off.
Most people find parking spots on the streets, usually in the subdivision between 60th and 64th Avenues, and 168th and 176th Streets. In other words the area directly across the street and west of the Cloverdale Fairgrounds and Millennium Park.
The parking lot at Lord Tweedsmuir High School, on 180th Street, just north of 60th Avenue, is open and there are lots of places to park here. Mostly people park here in the evening to catch the fireworks show. The school's football field on the hill overlooking the park and fairgrounds, is prime viewing for the fireworks.
Whatever you do, do not park in the Cloverdale Crossing Mall, on the other side of the street from the Millennium Park on 60th Avenue. They have signs up saying no event parking and security guards on duty. They are watching people who park and if they leave the property they call in tow trucks. Don't take a chance.
Getting out of Cloverdale is a bit of a nightmare. Likewise for traffic who have no intention of taking part in Canada Day festivities and are just in the unfortunate position of driving along 176th Street after 10pm. Last year the police shut down 176th Street and/or the Cloverdale Bypass (depends which part of the road you're on what its called) between Highway 10 (56th Avenue) and 64th Avenue. Likewise they shut down 57th Avenue, 58th Avenue, and 60th Avenue for any traffic planning to drive down one of those streets and turn onto the Cloverdale Bypass or 176th Street. That was a smart move because two years ago they only shut it down at 58th Avenue and traffic ended up in subdivision hell, going in circles, and ending up at a police blockade and going back the way they came from.
The streets are shut down because 100,000 people are leaving Millennium Park and pedestrians are all over the road. Safety issues.
So don't try to do anything smart driving around the subdivisions west of 176th Street thinking you'll beat the crowds of traffic and get out of Cloverdale faster. 20,000 other drivers are thinking the same thing. There are cul-de-sacs, dead ends, and streets that curve and wind in these subdivisions, and don't get you where you want to go.
My best suggestion is wherever you are head east like you're going to Langley and get yourself at least to 184th Street and away from the mass bedlam of tens of thousands of drivers. From 184th you can turn north and get yourself to the Fraser Highway which will get you back to 176th Street, or a better plan is to drive south. Highway 10 won't be too bad an option, but if you're going to South Surrey or planning to catch Highway 99, drive down 184th Street to 32nd Avenue and from there turn west. People aren't thinking of taking the scenic route and going up to 184th, but its only 8 blocks or so out of the way. Going a couple of kilometres out of your way and getting out of Cloverdale instead of trying to stick within a couple of blocks of Cloverdale and snake through car-jammed streets of the subdivisions where everyone is looking for a fast way out, will get you home faster.
Now what about traffic that just happens to be on 176th Street at that time of night and are surprised by the roads shut down. If you are driving north on 176th, which is really the Cloverdale Bypass at that section, at Highway 10/56th Avenue the road will be blocked by the police. Turn left and drive to 168th Street. Don't be tempted to turn down 60th or 64th Avenue. Bad choice. The police are waiting and will turn you back where you came from. Try to stay on 168th as long as you can. If you're heading for Highway 1, I'd recommend staying on 168th until at least 80th Avenue or 88th Avenue and then turning right to get back to 176th Street.
Or when you hit Highway 10, you can turn right and go up to 184th Street. Turn left and follow 184th to either the Fraser Highway or stay on it a little longer until it dead ends at 80th Avenue, then turn left and make your way back to 176th Street.
Hope my information helps! Stay safe. Pack your patience if you stay at the Millennium Park until the fireworks end. It takes a long time to move all that traffic out of the Cloverdale area.
The headline act, musical group Platinum Blonde, will take to the stage at 9pm, the last act of the night. When they're done the fireworks show starts.
For more information about the Canada Day celebrations, check their website http://www.surrey.ca/canadaday/default.aspx
Now on to the stuff people really want to know about - where to park and how to get around Cloverdale, or this busy intersection, especially once the fireworks have ended!
Free parking at the Cloverdale Fairgrounds. Enter off 60th Avenue at 177B Street. They open up the racetrack for cars to park there. Limited parking next door at Greenaway Park, about 20 spots, but by this time its a fair hike to get to the Millennium Park.
Don't think about parking at the old Cloverdale Mall on the corner of the Cloverdale Bypass between 57th and 58th Avenues. They're building there, or will be. So far only ground work done. There's a big fence around the property. Off 58th Avenue there's about 30 parking lots in 2 different areas that aren't fenced off.
Most people find parking spots on the streets, usually in the subdivision between 60th and 64th Avenues, and 168th and 176th Streets. In other words the area directly across the street and west of the Cloverdale Fairgrounds and Millennium Park.
The parking lot at Lord Tweedsmuir High School, on 180th Street, just north of 60th Avenue, is open and there are lots of places to park here. Mostly people park here in the evening to catch the fireworks show. The school's football field on the hill overlooking the park and fairgrounds, is prime viewing for the fireworks.
Whatever you do, do not park in the Cloverdale Crossing Mall, on the other side of the street from the Millennium Park on 60th Avenue. They have signs up saying no event parking and security guards on duty. They are watching people who park and if they leave the property they call in tow trucks. Don't take a chance.
Getting out of Cloverdale is a bit of a nightmare. Likewise for traffic who have no intention of taking part in Canada Day festivities and are just in the unfortunate position of driving along 176th Street after 10pm. Last year the police shut down 176th Street and/or the Cloverdale Bypass (depends which part of the road you're on what its called) between Highway 10 (56th Avenue) and 64th Avenue. Likewise they shut down 57th Avenue, 58th Avenue, and 60th Avenue for any traffic planning to drive down one of those streets and turn onto the Cloverdale Bypass or 176th Street. That was a smart move because two years ago they only shut it down at 58th Avenue and traffic ended up in subdivision hell, going in circles, and ending up at a police blockade and going back the way they came from.
The streets are shut down because 100,000 people are leaving Millennium Park and pedestrians are all over the road. Safety issues.
So don't try to do anything smart driving around the subdivisions west of 176th Street thinking you'll beat the crowds of traffic and get out of Cloverdale faster. 20,000 other drivers are thinking the same thing. There are cul-de-sacs, dead ends, and streets that curve and wind in these subdivisions, and don't get you where you want to go.
My best suggestion is wherever you are head east like you're going to Langley and get yourself at least to 184th Street and away from the mass bedlam of tens of thousands of drivers. From 184th you can turn north and get yourself to the Fraser Highway which will get you back to 176th Street, or a better plan is to drive south. Highway 10 won't be too bad an option, but if you're going to South Surrey or planning to catch Highway 99, drive down 184th Street to 32nd Avenue and from there turn west. People aren't thinking of taking the scenic route and going up to 184th, but its only 8 blocks or so out of the way. Going a couple of kilometres out of your way and getting out of Cloverdale instead of trying to stick within a couple of blocks of Cloverdale and snake through car-jammed streets of the subdivisions where everyone is looking for a fast way out, will get you home faster.
Now what about traffic that just happens to be on 176th Street at that time of night and are surprised by the roads shut down. If you are driving north on 176th, which is really the Cloverdale Bypass at that section, at Highway 10/56th Avenue the road will be blocked by the police. Turn left and drive to 168th Street. Don't be tempted to turn down 60th or 64th Avenue. Bad choice. The police are waiting and will turn you back where you came from. Try to stay on 168th as long as you can. If you're heading for Highway 1, I'd recommend staying on 168th until at least 80th Avenue or 88th Avenue and then turning right to get back to 176th Street.
Or when you hit Highway 10, you can turn right and go up to 184th Street. Turn left and follow 184th to either the Fraser Highway or stay on it a little longer until it dead ends at 80th Avenue, then turn left and make your way back to 176th Street.
Hope my information helps! Stay safe. Pack your patience if you stay at the Millennium Park until the fireworks end. It takes a long time to move all that traffic out of the Cloverdale area.
Tuesday, May 7, 2013
Parking around Cloverdale for Parade and Rodeo
Here's the scoop on parking around Cloverdale during the rodeo weekend May 17 - 20, 2013.
The big news is the huge parking lot at the former Cloverdale Mall is no more. The area has been fenced in for construction. There are about 100 parking spots in the area surrounding the Cloverdale Legion, the last of the old Cloverdale Mall parking lot. However the Legion is holding pancake breakfasts and barbecues all weekend and won't be too impressed if people park there and aren't coming inside to eat.
The first suggestion is to pay $10 and park at the Cloverdale fairgrounds. That gives you a close walk to the fair and the rodeo.
Also try Greenaway Park next to the fairgrounds on 60th Avenue and park there for free. The gates are locked at dusk so get back to your car by then or look for another way home.
Another is to park on residential streets around Cloverdale. That'll be a longer walk but parking is free. Keep an eye on the parking signs. Downtown Cloverdale is a maximum of 2 hours and there are a few no parking areas around town. The parking bylaw officers are in full force in Cloverdale this weekend. Huge payday for them because people park where they shouldn't be. The most popular parking spots are everything in-between 176A Street and 180th Street and 56A Avenue to 59th Avenue.
Cloverdale has a few free public parking lots. One is located on 56A Avenue just west of 176th Street, in the alley behind the firehall. There's about 60 parking spots here. On 176A Street just north of 57th Avenue, behind the Clova and next to the Bank of Montreal is a large parking lot. A couple hundred spots available here. A little further down 176A Street on the corner of 58A Avenue is another parking lot with about 100 or so parking spots.
There are a few spots available in the old Cloverdale Mall parking lot just off 58th Avenue, closer to the Cloverdale Bypass. Enter off 58th and there are about 15 parking spots here. A little further up, enter from the alley behind the Cloverdale Supermarket is about 30 more parking spots. Get here by 8am on Saturday May 18th if you're planning to watch the parade. Unless its raining, all the parking spots close to 176th Street go early.
On Saturday morning the streets between 176A Street and 177B Street 56A Avenue to 58A Avenue are temporarily closed from 6am to noon for the parade participants to set up. After noon they are up for grabs the rest of the weekend. 176th Street is closed during these times because of the parade route. Tow trucks are standing near by and I always see a couple of cars being towed off this street. Not a good idea to park here the rest of the weekend anyway because its 2 hour parking.
There is a lot of street parking in residential areas west of 176th Street between 60th and 64th Avenues. The problem with this subdivision is if you're not familiar with it, it twists and turns and cul-de-sac's all over the place.
Some residents offer parking in their driveways and front lawns for a few bucks and some of the local churches also sell parking spots.
I checked with the rodeo's general manager to see if the motorbikes are getting free parking this year and the answer is no.
Don't even think about parking in the Clover Crossing Mall on 64th Avenue and 176th Street. They have security guards watching all weekend. If you park and walk off the premises they'll call a tow truck. They watch real closely to make sure everyone who parks a car goes into one of the businesses there.
The big news is the huge parking lot at the former Cloverdale Mall is no more. The area has been fenced in for construction. There are about 100 parking spots in the area surrounding the Cloverdale Legion, the last of the old Cloverdale Mall parking lot. However the Legion is holding pancake breakfasts and barbecues all weekend and won't be too impressed if people park there and aren't coming inside to eat.
The first suggestion is to pay $10 and park at the Cloverdale fairgrounds. That gives you a close walk to the fair and the rodeo.
Also try Greenaway Park next to the fairgrounds on 60th Avenue and park there for free. The gates are locked at dusk so get back to your car by then or look for another way home.
Another is to park on residential streets around Cloverdale. That'll be a longer walk but parking is free. Keep an eye on the parking signs. Downtown Cloverdale is a maximum of 2 hours and there are a few no parking areas around town. The parking bylaw officers are in full force in Cloverdale this weekend. Huge payday for them because people park where they shouldn't be. The most popular parking spots are everything in-between 176A Street and 180th Street and 56A Avenue to 59th Avenue.
Cloverdale has a few free public parking lots. One is located on 56A Avenue just west of 176th Street, in the alley behind the firehall. There's about 60 parking spots here. On 176A Street just north of 57th Avenue, behind the Clova and next to the Bank of Montreal is a large parking lot. A couple hundred spots available here. A little further down 176A Street on the corner of 58A Avenue is another parking lot with about 100 or so parking spots.
There are a few spots available in the old Cloverdale Mall parking lot just off 58th Avenue, closer to the Cloverdale Bypass. Enter off 58th and there are about 15 parking spots here. A little further up, enter from the alley behind the Cloverdale Supermarket is about 30 more parking spots. Get here by 8am on Saturday May 18th if you're planning to watch the parade. Unless its raining, all the parking spots close to 176th Street go early.
On Saturday morning the streets between 176A Street and 177B Street 56A Avenue to 58A Avenue are temporarily closed from 6am to noon for the parade participants to set up. After noon they are up for grabs the rest of the weekend. 176th Street is closed during these times because of the parade route. Tow trucks are standing near by and I always see a couple of cars being towed off this street. Not a good idea to park here the rest of the weekend anyway because its 2 hour parking.
There is a lot of street parking in residential areas west of 176th Street between 60th and 64th Avenues. The problem with this subdivision is if you're not familiar with it, it twists and turns and cul-de-sac's all over the place.
Some residents offer parking in their driveways and front lawns for a few bucks and some of the local churches also sell parking spots.
I checked with the rodeo's general manager to see if the motorbikes are getting free parking this year and the answer is no.
Don't even think about parking in the Clover Crossing Mall on 64th Avenue and 176th Street. They have security guards watching all weekend. If you park and walk off the premises they'll call a tow truck. They watch real closely to make sure everyone who parks a car goes into one of the businesses there.
Thursday, June 28, 2012
Cloverdale Canada Day 2012 Celebration at Millenium Park
Canada Day celebrations on Sunday July 1, 2012 will be happening at the Millenium Park in Cloverdale. The park is located on the southeast corner of 64th Avenue and 176th Street.
Admission is free. Park never closes but most people start arriving between 9am and 11am to stake out a spot for the day. All day entertainment. Acts on the stage and some midway rides. Fireworks at 10:15pm end the day.
For more information and a line up of the entertainment see their website: http://www.surrey.ca/canadaday/
As for parking, if you get there early enough you will find parking off 62nd Avenue and 176th Street where the Agriplex is located. The parking lot at the fairgrounds, enter off 60th Avenue, also has parking. A lot of people park on the nearby streets but its not conveniently accessible. If you plan to do that get onto 172nd Street off 60th or 64th avenues and then choose any of the roads leading east from there. There is a park located on 62nd Avenue I think and there's a good sized parking lot there.
Whatever you do, don't park in the lot at the Cloverdale Crossing Mall across the street from the Millenium Park. There's a Tim Hortons in there, a London Drugs, a PriceSmart, etc. They put up big signs at the entrances saying customer parking only, no event parking. There are several security guards patrolling the lot. If you park your car here they watch where you're going. If you cross the street into the Millenium Park your car will probably be towed.
Want to just watch the fireworks? A good spot is the football field at Lord Tweedsmuir located on 180th Street, just north of 60th Avenue. Get there by 9pm and you should find a parking spot OK. Watch out for mosquitoes. Another good spot to watch is in the parking lot at the Cloverdale Super Market - the old Shop Easy - on the corner of 58th Avenue and 176th Street. The store is closed by then and this just has a nice view of the fireworks.
Getting out of Cloverdale after the fireworks? This is nightmare city for drivers, including cars travelling on 176th Street who have no intention of participating in the Canada Day activities. The police close down 176th Street between 60th and 64th Avenues. Open for pedestrians only. However last year they had to rethink that strategy. The corner of 60th Avenue and 176th Street can be dangerous for pedestrians even though it has pedestrian activated light and a chirper noisemaker. There's a lot of bad drivers who don't want to yield to pedestrians in the crosswalk and multiply that when there are hundreds of pedestrians leaving a major event. So last year the police made a last minute decision to put in another blockade 2 blocks away at 58th Avenue and the Cloverdale Bypass. The problem is there were no instructions so drivers unfamiliar with the area turned up towards the United Church and then going through the back alley to 60th Avenue only to find themselves no better off because the only option was to turn east down 60th right back to where the police had it blocked off and they had to turn south back down the Cloverdale Bypass. So they did the circle route. The police also had 60th Avenue closed off between 176A Street and 176th Street so cars could not reach the intersection at all. To get out of Cloverdale if you're closer to 64th Avenue, go that way either direction on 64th or continue north on 176th Street. If you're parked in the fairgrounds/casino lot, either head east on 60th and away from Cloverdale, or go down 176th Street to Highway 10 and whichever way you want to leave. Avoid residential areas that are unknown to you. They are choked with lost drivers.
Happy Canada Day!
Admission is free. Park never closes but most people start arriving between 9am and 11am to stake out a spot for the day. All day entertainment. Acts on the stage and some midway rides. Fireworks at 10:15pm end the day.
For more information and a line up of the entertainment see their website: http://www.surrey.ca/canadaday/
As for parking, if you get there early enough you will find parking off 62nd Avenue and 176th Street where the Agriplex is located. The parking lot at the fairgrounds, enter off 60th Avenue, also has parking. A lot of people park on the nearby streets but its not conveniently accessible. If you plan to do that get onto 172nd Street off 60th or 64th avenues and then choose any of the roads leading east from there. There is a park located on 62nd Avenue I think and there's a good sized parking lot there.
Whatever you do, don't park in the lot at the Cloverdale Crossing Mall across the street from the Millenium Park. There's a Tim Hortons in there, a London Drugs, a PriceSmart, etc. They put up big signs at the entrances saying customer parking only, no event parking. There are several security guards patrolling the lot. If you park your car here they watch where you're going. If you cross the street into the Millenium Park your car will probably be towed.
Want to just watch the fireworks? A good spot is the football field at Lord Tweedsmuir located on 180th Street, just north of 60th Avenue. Get there by 9pm and you should find a parking spot OK. Watch out for mosquitoes. Another good spot to watch is in the parking lot at the Cloverdale Super Market - the old Shop Easy - on the corner of 58th Avenue and 176th Street. The store is closed by then and this just has a nice view of the fireworks.
Getting out of Cloverdale after the fireworks? This is nightmare city for drivers, including cars travelling on 176th Street who have no intention of participating in the Canada Day activities. The police close down 176th Street between 60th and 64th Avenues. Open for pedestrians only. However last year they had to rethink that strategy. The corner of 60th Avenue and 176th Street can be dangerous for pedestrians even though it has pedestrian activated light and a chirper noisemaker. There's a lot of bad drivers who don't want to yield to pedestrians in the crosswalk and multiply that when there are hundreds of pedestrians leaving a major event. So last year the police made a last minute decision to put in another blockade 2 blocks away at 58th Avenue and the Cloverdale Bypass. The problem is there were no instructions so drivers unfamiliar with the area turned up towards the United Church and then going through the back alley to 60th Avenue only to find themselves no better off because the only option was to turn east down 60th right back to where the police had it blocked off and they had to turn south back down the Cloverdale Bypass. So they did the circle route. The police also had 60th Avenue closed off between 176A Street and 176th Street so cars could not reach the intersection at all. To get out of Cloverdale if you're closer to 64th Avenue, go that way either direction on 64th or continue north on 176th Street. If you're parked in the fairgrounds/casino lot, either head east on 60th and away from Cloverdale, or go down 176th Street to Highway 10 and whichever way you want to leave. Avoid residential areas that are unknown to you. They are choked with lost drivers.
Happy Canada Day!
Saturday, February 13, 2010
Another crazy driver in Cloverdale
Late this afternoon we had to drive over to the London Drugs in the Cloverdale Crossing Mall. On 64th Avenue there is a left hand turn lane that enters the mall inbetween Tim Hortons and a building that houses Telus, Great Clips, and a sushi restaurant. There is a median separating the entrance and exit traffic in and out of the mall.
I'm waiting in the left hand turn lane. There is a lot of oncoming traffic travelling west on 64th so I have to wait a bit. I get a couple of cars in line behind me also wanting to turn into the mall.
And then I notice a car trying to turn into the mall using the exit lane. That didn't go too good because there was already a car there, correctly attempting to exit out of the mall onto 64th Avenue. You'd think the driver would just straighten out the car and continue up a hundred feet to to the next entrance into the mall inbetween Tim Hortons and McDonald's. But I guess that would be too easy. Instead the female driver, an Asian woman about 40 years old, decides the appropriate thing is to back up onto 64th Avenue and make another try to get into the mall using that particular entrance. 3 times she backed up and went forward, effectively bringing to a stop all westbound traffic on 64th. By the time she finally got inside the mall I had 6 cars in line behind me trying to left turn.
And here's the funny thing. I get into the mall, park about halfway down the aisle from London Drugs and we spot her car. She is aimlessly driving around the mall.
Backing up onto a busy road is definitely a bad idea. Making several attempts is even worse. Its much better to continue on a few more feet and choose another entrance into the mall. But I guess she had her little heart set on driving in this particular driveway.
I'm waiting in the left hand turn lane. There is a lot of oncoming traffic travelling west on 64th so I have to wait a bit. I get a couple of cars in line behind me also wanting to turn into the mall.
And then I notice a car trying to turn into the mall using the exit lane. That didn't go too good because there was already a car there, correctly attempting to exit out of the mall onto 64th Avenue. You'd think the driver would just straighten out the car and continue up a hundred feet to to the next entrance into the mall inbetween Tim Hortons and McDonald's. But I guess that would be too easy. Instead the female driver, an Asian woman about 40 years old, decides the appropriate thing is to back up onto 64th Avenue and make another try to get into the mall using that particular entrance. 3 times she backed up and went forward, effectively bringing to a stop all westbound traffic on 64th. By the time she finally got inside the mall I had 6 cars in line behind me trying to left turn.
And here's the funny thing. I get into the mall, park about halfway down the aisle from London Drugs and we spot her car. She is aimlessly driving around the mall.
Backing up onto a busy road is definitely a bad idea. Making several attempts is even worse. Its much better to continue on a few more feet and choose another entrance into the mall. But I guess she had her little heart set on driving in this particular driveway.
Tuesday, February 2, 2010
What's happening in Cloverdale in February 2010
So what's happening in and around Cloverdale for the month of February 2010? For being known as the month of romance with Valentine's Day, there's slim pickings for February 14 celebrations.
February 8 - Monday - the Olympic torch is passing through Cloverdale on Highway 10 between 180th Street and 176th Street, approximately at 2:30pm, stopping briefly at the Cloverdale Museum. If you're interested in a bigger celebration of the torch, then come to Holland Park in Whalley, corner of King George Highway and Old Yale Road at 5:30pm for a larger event.
February 12 -28 - keeping with the Olympic theme, Holland Park in Whalley is home to many free events during the Olympics, including several performances by the RCMP Musical Ride. To find out more, go to this website www.surrey2010.com
February 14 - Sunday at 3pm at the Cloverdale Legion the Lord Tweesdmuir jazz band is putting on a free concert for Valentine's Day.
Just to toss out a couple of dinner suggestions for Valentine's Day, Sunday February 14 - at Boston Pizza, located in the Clover Crossings Mall, they will be serving heart shaped pizzas with $1 from each sale donated to the Heart & Stroke Foundation. My favorite choice for a romantic meal is at La Masia, located on 64th Avenue and Fraser Highway. Best to phone ahead for reservations 604-574-7633.
That's it for now. I'll have to keep looking at posters put up on shopkeeper's windows for anything else.
February 8 - Monday - the Olympic torch is passing through Cloverdale on Highway 10 between 180th Street and 176th Street, approximately at 2:30pm, stopping briefly at the Cloverdale Museum. If you're interested in a bigger celebration of the torch, then come to Holland Park in Whalley, corner of King George Highway and Old Yale Road at 5:30pm for a larger event.
February 12 -28 - keeping with the Olympic theme, Holland Park in Whalley is home to many free events during the Olympics, including several performances by the RCMP Musical Ride. To find out more, go to this website www.surrey2010.com
February 14 - Sunday at 3pm at the Cloverdale Legion the Lord Tweesdmuir jazz band is putting on a free concert for Valentine's Day.
Just to toss out a couple of dinner suggestions for Valentine's Day, Sunday February 14 - at Boston Pizza, located in the Clover Crossings Mall, they will be serving heart shaped pizzas with $1 from each sale donated to the Heart & Stroke Foundation. My favorite choice for a romantic meal is at La Masia, located on 64th Avenue and Fraser Highway. Best to phone ahead for reservations 604-574-7633.
That's it for now. I'll have to keep looking at posters put up on shopkeeper's windows for anything else.
Sunday, January 24, 2010
Tim Hortons around Cloverdale
It wasn't all that long ago when Cloverdale residents had to drive 10 or 15 minutes to reach the nearest Tim Hortons. Through the nineties the closest Tim Hortons were located in Fleetwood on the Fraser Highway and about 156 Street (still open) and in Langley on the Fraser Highway, about a half block east of the Langley Bypass, next to the Husky gas station. That one closed down about 5 years ago.
In the past few years Tim Hortons are sprouting up everywhere. There are 2 in Cloverdale within a 5 minute drive of each other. And a third one could be in the running too if you count the one on Highway 10 near 152 Street.
I'm not a coffee drinker. Kerry loves Tim Hortons coffee so he stops in almost daily. Of course if I'm along, and often one will be near a job site, I may join him and have a Boston cream donut or sometimes a bottle of green tea citrus iced tea or a mocha if its a cold day. We often enjoy soup for lunch at Tim Hortons. I've been to the Tim Hortons around Cloverdale many times and consider myself to be a pretty good judge of the service, so here's a little run down.
The Tim Hortons on Highway 10 just east of 177B Street, next to Lordco, has a drive thru in addition to walking in the restaurant. The drive thru is usually faster. Overall fairly quick service inside the restaurant too.
Tim Hortons in Clover Crossing Mall on 64th Avenue just east of 176th Street can get busy both in the restaurant and the drive thru. The drive thru is usually faster even if there are lots of cars in the line up. Sometimes inside the restaurant one staff is handling a cash register and all the rest of the staff are rushing to serve the drive thru customers. Generally during busy times there are 2 cashiers helping walk in customers. I find the staff at this Tim Hortons usually more friendly and energetic than in any of the other restaurants.
Tim Hortons on Highway 10 and 152 Street is one of the slowest restaurants I've been to. Both in the drive through and inside the restaurant. I don't know what it is with the staff here because I've been here on different days and different times but they are so slow.
Tim Hortons on Fraser Highway and 166th Street, in front of the Super 8 Motel, across from Rona. Without a doubt this is the worst Tim Hortons in the area. The staff at Highway 10 and 152 Street move lickety split compared to these people. And yes, I've been here different times of the day and different days of the week. It is the worst, both drive through and walk in. If you walk in to this restaurant and see one person in line, you can expect a good 10 minutes wait to be served. Forget the drive thru if there are more than 3 cars. You'll be waiting 20 minutes. I was there about a year ago and the parking lot was in icy, trecherous condition. Inside the restaurant, during the 10 minutes or so I waited for the one cashier to finish the customer ahead of me, I watched several male staff chatting, including one who appeared to be a supervisor. Surely one of them could have gone outside with a bucket of ice melt or sand or whatever the restaurant uses to make the lot and sidewalks less slippy. This was really bad. I complained to Tim Hortons. They said the manager would be in contact with me. A year later and I'm still waiting. Definitely pass this one by. Go a little further up Fraser Highway for better service.
Tim Hortons on Fraser Highway and 156 Street. This oldie but goodie is still standing. No drive thru service, which possibly is the reason why the staff can serve customers quickly.
Tim Hortons on Fraser Highway near 188th Street. This is a newer Tim Hortons in the Clayton Heights area and has a drive thru. I find service quick and pleasant either inside or in the drive thru.
In the past few years Tim Hortons are sprouting up everywhere. There are 2 in Cloverdale within a 5 minute drive of each other. And a third one could be in the running too if you count the one on Highway 10 near 152 Street.
I'm not a coffee drinker. Kerry loves Tim Hortons coffee so he stops in almost daily. Of course if I'm along, and often one will be near a job site, I may join him and have a Boston cream donut or sometimes a bottle of green tea citrus iced tea or a mocha if its a cold day. We often enjoy soup for lunch at Tim Hortons. I've been to the Tim Hortons around Cloverdale many times and consider myself to be a pretty good judge of the service, so here's a little run down.
The Tim Hortons on Highway 10 just east of 177B Street, next to Lordco, has a drive thru in addition to walking in the restaurant. The drive thru is usually faster. Overall fairly quick service inside the restaurant too.
Tim Hortons in Clover Crossing Mall on 64th Avenue just east of 176th Street can get busy both in the restaurant and the drive thru. The drive thru is usually faster even if there are lots of cars in the line up. Sometimes inside the restaurant one staff is handling a cash register and all the rest of the staff are rushing to serve the drive thru customers. Generally during busy times there are 2 cashiers helping walk in customers. I find the staff at this Tim Hortons usually more friendly and energetic than in any of the other restaurants.
Tim Hortons on Highway 10 and 152 Street is one of the slowest restaurants I've been to. Both in the drive through and inside the restaurant. I don't know what it is with the staff here because I've been here on different days and different times but they are so slow.
Tim Hortons on Fraser Highway and 166th Street, in front of the Super 8 Motel, across from Rona. Without a doubt this is the worst Tim Hortons in the area. The staff at Highway 10 and 152 Street move lickety split compared to these people. And yes, I've been here different times of the day and different days of the week. It is the worst, both drive through and walk in. If you walk in to this restaurant and see one person in line, you can expect a good 10 minutes wait to be served. Forget the drive thru if there are more than 3 cars. You'll be waiting 20 minutes. I was there about a year ago and the parking lot was in icy, trecherous condition. Inside the restaurant, during the 10 minutes or so I waited for the one cashier to finish the customer ahead of me, I watched several male staff chatting, including one who appeared to be a supervisor. Surely one of them could have gone outside with a bucket of ice melt or sand or whatever the restaurant uses to make the lot and sidewalks less slippy. This was really bad. I complained to Tim Hortons. They said the manager would be in contact with me. A year later and I'm still waiting. Definitely pass this one by. Go a little further up Fraser Highway for better service.
Tim Hortons on Fraser Highway and 156 Street. This oldie but goodie is still standing. No drive thru service, which possibly is the reason why the staff can serve customers quickly.
Tim Hortons on Fraser Highway near 188th Street. This is a newer Tim Hortons in the Clayton Heights area and has a drive thru. I find service quick and pleasant either inside or in the drive thru.
Wednesday, December 9, 2009
Bylaw officers working 64th Avenue
Over the past few months, on the odd occasion I've received a local newspaper, there are letters written to the editor from people who live on 64th Avenue. I believe from people who live in the condos that are located approximately in the 164 block, across from where the old Bose farm used to be. Their complaints are the large trucks that roar down 64th Avenue. They can't enjoy spending summer days on their patios due to the noise.
These people have a point. There is a no trucks exceeding 10,000 kg (I think, I could have the weight wrong) on 64th Avenue between Fraser Highway and 152 Street. I've seen the sign thousands of times just after I cross the Fraser Highway heading west on 64th. But because I don't drive a big rig, I don't pay much attention to the weight limit. Those trucks should not be speeding along 64th. They should be on Highway 10 or other designated truck routes.
Their complaints to city hall are relatively ignored. They are told there aren't enough bylaw officers to catch the trucks and they're busy doing other things. They were told to take photos of the offending trucks and then sue them in court. What kind of response is that? Yep, our tax dollars are hard at work in Surrey.
This afternoon we were driving east bound on 64th Avenue heading into Langley. Just after the Cloverdale Crossing Mall, across from the skateboard park, we saw two SUV's with emergency lights flashing and a large truck hauling heavy machinery pulled to the side of the road, right about where it begins to be 2 lanes coming up to the mall. At first we thought it was the Department of Highways doing a safety check, but as we got closer we saw the SUV's belonged to the City of Surrey Bylaw Enforcement. I knew right away they were pulling over large trucks and ticketing them for being on a route that has a maximum weight limit for trucks. And just then we see a truck cresting the hill from 180th Street. I watched in my rear view mirror. Yep, a bylaw officer ran on to the street, and signaled the trucker to pull over. Got him!
Caving in to resident complaints? On Wednesday, December 9, our tax dollars were indeed hard at work in Cloverdale. But whoever they caught today was probably only a drop in the bucket.
These people have a point. There is a no trucks exceeding 10,000 kg (I think, I could have the weight wrong) on 64th Avenue between Fraser Highway and 152 Street. I've seen the sign thousands of times just after I cross the Fraser Highway heading west on 64th. But because I don't drive a big rig, I don't pay much attention to the weight limit. Those trucks should not be speeding along 64th. They should be on Highway 10 or other designated truck routes.
Their complaints to city hall are relatively ignored. They are told there aren't enough bylaw officers to catch the trucks and they're busy doing other things. They were told to take photos of the offending trucks and then sue them in court. What kind of response is that? Yep, our tax dollars are hard at work in Surrey.
This afternoon we were driving east bound on 64th Avenue heading into Langley. Just after the Cloverdale Crossing Mall, across from the skateboard park, we saw two SUV's with emergency lights flashing and a large truck hauling heavy machinery pulled to the side of the road, right about where it begins to be 2 lanes coming up to the mall. At first we thought it was the Department of Highways doing a safety check, but as we got closer we saw the SUV's belonged to the City of Surrey Bylaw Enforcement. I knew right away they were pulling over large trucks and ticketing them for being on a route that has a maximum weight limit for trucks. And just then we see a truck cresting the hill from 180th Street. I watched in my rear view mirror. Yep, a bylaw officer ran on to the street, and signaled the trucker to pull over. Got him!
Caving in to resident complaints? On Wednesday, December 9, our tax dollars were indeed hard at work in Cloverdale. But whoever they caught today was probably only a drop in the bucket.
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