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 parking. Show all posts
Showing posts with label parking. Show all posts
Wednesday, June 24, 2015
Sunday, May 10, 2015
Cloverdale Rodeo weekend May 15 to 18, 2015
It's only a few days away! The Cloverdale Rodeo hits town again on the May long weekend, May 15 - 18, 2015.
The rodeo and country fair is held in the Cloverdale Fairgrounds on the corner of 176th Street and 60th Avenue, also home to Fraser Downs Racetrack & Casino. Same parking lot but due to the special event pay parking is in effect - $10 and main parking lot accessed off 60th Avenue. If the lot is full, there is free parking on the residential streets surrounding the fairgrounds. Before you park in the downtown shopping area of Cloverdale, along 176th Street, pay attention to the parking signs, especially if it says 2 hour parking. The City of Surry parking enforcement is out in full force on the rodeo weekend. They make a lot of money. Make sure you don't park within 6 metres of a stop sign, block a fire hydrant, or park facing the opposite direction of traffic. I've seen parking tickets on cars that do this. The old Cloverdale Mall parking lot is blocked off with fencing, so don't head there if you haven't been in Cloverdale in a couple of years. No parking access. Also don't think of parking in the Cloverdale Crossing shopping plaza, corner of 176th Street and 64th Avenue. They have signs up warning there is no event parking and they hire security guards to keep an eye on people exiting cars to make sure they're going into one of the shops and not crossing the street to the fairgrounds. And they quick call tow trucks.
Things kick off on Thursday night, May14, 2015 with the bed races. Held on 176A Street between 57th and 58th Avenues starting around 6pm. They usually last for an hour.
On Friday, May 15, 2015 go to the Clover Square shopping mall on the corner of Highway 10 and 177B Street for the chili cook off between 4:30pm and 6:30pm. Many businesses and individuals compete and its free for the consumer as long as they're voting on the favourite chili. Each station gives out a small cup of chili. Sometimes there'll be extra goodies like a bun or tortilla chips or something to drink. There's a stage set up with live country music.
The fairgrounds opens at 4pm on Friday. Check their website for operating times and rodeo performances. http://www.cloverdalerodeo.com/rodeo-and-country-fair/
The parade (free) gets underway Saturday morning May 16, 2015 around 10am depending on where you're at on the route. The parade staging areas are on all the avenues from 56A to 58A between 176A and 177B Streets. There is no public parking on these areas on Saturday morning until the parade has ended. The rest of the weekend its up for grabs. The parade starts off along 177B Street while all the participants get ready, heads south to Highway 10 where half the lanes have been blocked off up to 176th Street. The parade heads north along 176 Street and this is where most of the spectators take up viewing spots. If you plan to watch on 176th Street, be sure to arrive by 9am for a good spot. When the parade reaches 58A Avenue, it turns east and at 176A Street, turns north and goes to the fairgrounds. However the parade always seems to peter out at this spot, and instead of continuing all the way to the fairgrounds, the participants turn back to the staging area.
Various pancake breakfasts happening all weekend for around $5 at the Cloverdale Legion on 57th Avenue just west of 176th Street, and the Lions holding a pancake breakfast at Hawthorne Square on 176th Street, between 57th and 58th Avenues. I haven't seen a sign in front of the church that usually does a free pancake breakfast on Saturday morning before the rodeo. I'll do a quick update if I see that one's going ahead.
Have a great weekend!
The rodeo and country fair is held in the Cloverdale Fairgrounds on the corner of 176th Street and 60th Avenue, also home to Fraser Downs Racetrack & Casino. Same parking lot but due to the special event pay parking is in effect - $10 and main parking lot accessed off 60th Avenue. If the lot is full, there is free parking on the residential streets surrounding the fairgrounds. Before you park in the downtown shopping area of Cloverdale, along 176th Street, pay attention to the parking signs, especially if it says 2 hour parking. The City of Surry parking enforcement is out in full force on the rodeo weekend. They make a lot of money. Make sure you don't park within 6 metres of a stop sign, block a fire hydrant, or park facing the opposite direction of traffic. I've seen parking tickets on cars that do this. The old Cloverdale Mall parking lot is blocked off with fencing, so don't head there if you haven't been in Cloverdale in a couple of years. No parking access. Also don't think of parking in the Cloverdale Crossing shopping plaza, corner of 176th Street and 64th Avenue. They have signs up warning there is no event parking and they hire security guards to keep an eye on people exiting cars to make sure they're going into one of the shops and not crossing the street to the fairgrounds. And they quick call tow trucks.
Things kick off on Thursday night, May14, 2015 with the bed races. Held on 176A Street between 57th and 58th Avenues starting around 6pm. They usually last for an hour.
On Friday, May 15, 2015 go to the Clover Square shopping mall on the corner of Highway 10 and 177B Street for the chili cook off between 4:30pm and 6:30pm. Many businesses and individuals compete and its free for the consumer as long as they're voting on the favourite chili. Each station gives out a small cup of chili. Sometimes there'll be extra goodies like a bun or tortilla chips or something to drink. There's a stage set up with live country music.
The fairgrounds opens at 4pm on Friday. Check their website for operating times and rodeo performances. http://www.cloverdalerodeo.com/rodeo-and-country-fair/
The parade (free) gets underway Saturday morning May 16, 2015 around 10am depending on where you're at on the route. The parade staging areas are on all the avenues from 56A to 58A between 176A and 177B Streets. There is no public parking on these areas on Saturday morning until the parade has ended. The rest of the weekend its up for grabs. The parade starts off along 177B Street while all the participants get ready, heads south to Highway 10 where half the lanes have been blocked off up to 176th Street. The parade heads north along 176 Street and this is where most of the spectators take up viewing spots. If you plan to watch on 176th Street, be sure to arrive by 9am for a good spot. When the parade reaches 58A Avenue, it turns east and at 176A Street, turns north and goes to the fairgrounds. However the parade always seems to peter out at this spot, and instead of continuing all the way to the fairgrounds, the participants turn back to the staging area.
Various pancake breakfasts happening all weekend for around $5 at the Cloverdale Legion on 57th Avenue just west of 176th Street, and the Lions holding a pancake breakfast at Hawthorne Square on 176th Street, between 57th and 58th Avenues. I haven't seen a sign in front of the church that usually does a free pancake breakfast on Saturday morning before the rodeo. I'll do a quick update if I see that one's going ahead.
Have a great weekend!
Thursday, July 3, 2014
Surrey Night Market in Cloverdale
The Surrey Night Market will be starting this weekend, Friday July 5, 2014 running Friday and Saturday nights ending August 30, 2014.
The Surrey Night Market will be held in Cloverdale on 62nd Avenue, accessed only from 176th Street, the north end of the Cloverdale Fairgrounds. Head towards the Agriplex, across the street from the backstretch of Fraser Downs.
There is lots of parking in the fairgrounds but no parking in the backstretch or the rec centre.
The Surrey Night Market will have lots of food vendors and other vendors. There will also be entertainers. The market is open from 6pm to 11pm and admission is $2.
For more information see their website. http://surreynightmarket.com/
The Surrey Night Market will be held in Cloverdale on 62nd Avenue, accessed only from 176th Street, the north end of the Cloverdale Fairgrounds. Head towards the Agriplex, across the street from the backstretch of Fraser Downs.
There is lots of parking in the fairgrounds but no parking in the backstretch or the rec centre.
The Surrey Night Market will have lots of food vendors and other vendors. There will also be entertainers. The market is open from 6pm to 11pm and admission is $2.
For more information see their website. http://surreynightmarket.com/
Tuesday, May 13, 2014
Parking in Cloverdale during May 2014 Rodeo Weekend
Here's the scoop on parking around Cloverdale during the rodeo weekend May 16 - 19, 2014.
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. Get there early. Last year drivers refused to believe the fairgrounds parking lot was full and kept getting into the left hand turn lane on 60th Avenue and trying to convince the lot attendant to let them in.
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 choice 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.
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.
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.
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.
Sunday, May 19, 2013
Traffic in Cloverdale on Rodeo Weekend
Stay away from 60th Avenue in Cloverdale this weekend. Traffic nightmare! Cars are lined up both directions on 60th hoping to get into the fairgrounds to park. Cars are lined up all the way back to 176th Street, being held up by the majority of cars trying to get into the left hand turn lane at the 177B Street entrance into the fairgrounds. Bad luck for anyone who isn't planning to go to the fair or rodeo and wants to drive straight through towards Langley. Use another street!
I walked past the entrance by 177B Street at 2:30 and the parking lot was full. I watched the parking attendant pull a barricade across the driveway entrance and waving his arms at the traffic to continue along 60th. The cars in the left hand turn lane refused to believe him and the drivers stayed where they were causing a huge traffic jam behind them. Likewise cars on 177B Street who needed to turn left or right. Instead the drivers either stayed where they were backing up traffic behind or drove through the intersection anyway only to be greeted by the parking attendant telling them to turn up or down 60th.
All the street parking on 60th, west of 176 Street is all taken. Also Greenaway Park is full. The church near the corner of 176th Street and 64th Avenue is taking paying parking customers for $10 but it looked pretty full when I drove past at 11am.
All that's left is to find residential street parking around the fairgrounds. Make sure you are parked legally. The parking bylaw officers are out in full force because the Cloverdale Rodeo weekend is a huge cash cow for them. The driver of this car parked the wrong direction on the street and has been ticketed.
I walked past the entrance by 177B Street at 2:30 and the parking lot was full. I watched the parking attendant pull a barricade across the driveway entrance and waving his arms at the traffic to continue along 60th. The cars in the left hand turn lane refused to believe him and the drivers stayed where they were causing a huge traffic jam behind them. Likewise cars on 177B Street who needed to turn left or right. Instead the drivers either stayed where they were backing up traffic behind or drove through the intersection anyway only to be greeted by the parking attendant telling them to turn up or down 60th.
All the street parking on 60th, west of 176 Street is all taken. Also Greenaway Park is full. The church near the corner of 176th Street and 64th Avenue is taking paying parking customers for $10 but it looked pretty full when I drove past at 11am.
All that's left is to find residential street parking around the fairgrounds. Make sure you are parked legally. The parking bylaw officers are out in full force because the Cloverdale Rodeo weekend is a huge cash cow for them. The driver of this car parked the wrong direction on the street and has been ticketed.
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.
Wednesday, January 9, 2013
January Update on old Cloverdale Mall Site
A few weeks ago a chain link fence was put around the entire site of the old Cloverdale Mall, including most of the parking lot. Previously the parking lot was accessible and truckers and campers often parked overnight there. There are about a dozen parking spots available that can be accessed from 58th Avenue. Also if you drive down the alley behind the Cloverdale Super Market (old Shop Easy), that parking lot was never fenced in, and there's room for about 20 cars to park there.
That flat deck trailer that was in the parking lot when it got fenced in is no longer there. I didn't see it leave. I don't know if the trucker it belonged to returned for it or if the construction crew called a tow truck.
There is heavy machinery over there and a crew on site. They unlock the gate and park their cars in there and there is a sign stating authorized personnel only and the work saftety gear that must be worn.
So far not to much is going on that I can see. Digging and piles of dirt. Due to the recent dreary weather I haven't walked by but I took the dogs for a walk this morning to check it out. I only had my cell phone camera on me and the picture's not the greatest and blogger has changed how to upload pictures so until I figure that out..... In other words - no picture today.
No word yet when this phase of construction is planned to be complete.
That flat deck trailer that was in the parking lot when it got fenced in is no longer there. I didn't see it leave. I don't know if the trucker it belonged to returned for it or if the construction crew called a tow truck.
There is heavy machinery over there and a crew on site. They unlock the gate and park their cars in there and there is a sign stating authorized personnel only and the work saftety gear that must be worn.
So far not to much is going on that I can see. Digging and piles of dirt. Due to the recent dreary weather I haven't walked by but I took the dogs for a walk this morning to check it out. I only had my cell phone camera on me and the picture's not the greatest and blogger has changed how to upload pictures so until I figure that out..... In other words - no picture today.
No word yet when this phase of construction is planned to be complete.
Saturday, December 8, 2012
Fence Around Parking Lot at Former Cloverdale Mall
Sometime on Friday December 7, 2012 a rent a fence company has put up a fence around the entire parking lot of the former Cloverdale Mall. Previously the fence was only around the site of the former mall, but its around the entire lot now, excluding the area surrounding the Cloverdale Legion.
This is bad news for people looking for a parking spot during Cloverdale events. This is also bad news for people who regularly parked there, mainly semi truck drivers resting overnight and the occasional camper.
This is really bad news for whoever owns that semi flat deck trailer in the centre of the parking lot! Its my guess that when that trucker returns for the trailer they will knock the fence down to gain access. If anyone has seen the movie Joy Ride they'll know that nothing really stops a semi truck wherever the driver wants to take it!
This is bad news for people looking for a parking spot during Cloverdale events. This is also bad news for people who regularly parked there, mainly semi truck drivers resting overnight and the occasional camper.
This is really bad news for whoever owns that semi flat deck trailer in the centre of the parking lot! Its my guess that when that trucker returns for the trailer they will knock the fence down to gain access. If anyone has seen the movie Joy Ride they'll know that nothing really stops a semi truck wherever the driver wants to take it!
Sunday, November 18, 2012
Santa Parade of Lights on Sunday December 2, 2012
The Christmas lights are starting to go up around Cloverdale and you know what that means. The Santa Parade is almost here!
The Santa Parade of Lights is on Sunday, December 2, 2012 and starts around 5pm out of the Cloverdale Fairgrounds on 60th Avenue. The parade will go down 176A Street, turn west on 58A Avenue and then along 176thStreet. It sort of peters out at 57th Avenue and the trucks and floats head onto the Cloverdale Bypass and they’re gone. Probably back to the staging area at the fairgrounds for take down.
Here’s the scoop on parking. Get to Cloverdale no later than 4:30 on Sunday afternoon. Streets are being closed and you will end up in a traffic nightmare trying to find a way out and a place to park. The old (demolished) Cloverdale Mall site still has plenty of parking. Access the parking lot from 57th Avenue off the Cloverdale Bypass. You can also try to access it off the Cloverdale Bypass at 58th Avenue but no telling when the volunteers will shut down 58th. There is on street parking on 56A Avenue, 57th Avenue, and 58th Avenue east of 176A Street. There is on street parking on 177B Street. There are 2 public parking lots on 176A Street – one near 58A Avenue, the other at the backside of the Clova Theatre, between 57th and 58th Avenues next to the Bank of Montreal.
For viewing, the best place if you want to see Santa Claus light up the Christmas tree on top of the Dale Building is around Hawthorne Square on 176th Street, midway between 57th and 58thAvenues. 176th Street is crowded with the most spectators. I like to watch the parade on 58A Avenue where its less crowded. At least until the people searching for a spot on 176th Street discover its got lots of openings, and then it gets jammed. If there are too many people, head north along 176A Street to find a good viewing spot.
Bring a non-perishable item. Volunteers from the food bank will be picking up donations.
Monday, May 7, 2012
Parking around Cloverdale during Rodeo and Parade
I thought this year I would tackle where to park your car if driving to Cloverdale to attend the rodeo/fair or the parade.
To start off with - the City of Surrey has fast moving parking bylaw enforcement officers who work 24 hours. The company who gets the contract with Surrey keeps getting it renewed because they bring in LOTS of money, well over the quota. The parking enforcement officers congregate in Cloverdale during the long weekend in May because it is a windfall for them. I see cars with parking tickets on their windshields everywhere! This is a good place to remind everyone if they see "no parking" signs, don't be tempted to park there because you see a lot of other cars parked there. If you see signs that say 15 minute parking or 2 hour parking, don't think that does not apply on a holiday weekend. Don't park too close to stop signs or fire hydrants or otherwise park illegally. Saving $10 on parking at the fairgrounds will cost you a $40 ticket or whatever the city charges for parking infractions.
If you are coming into Cloverdale for the rodeo parade on Saturday May 19 2012 you need to arrive in the 176th Street area no later than 8:30am. The streets are closed off around that time and besides all the parking spots will be taken. Look for temporary "no parking" signs. They will be roughly everywhere between 176th Street and 177B Street and all the side streets from 58A Avenue and Highway 10. This is either the parade route or where the parade entries are setting up.
If you arrive early enough before the streets are closed down, head to the public parking lots on 176A Street. One is close to 57th Avenue, behind the Clover Inn and the Clova Theatre, the other is down on the corner of 58A Avenue, across the street from the bowling alley. Not lots of parking. Maybe 100 spots between the two lots. The other option is the old Cloverdale Mall. Enter on 57th Avenue between the Cloverdale Bypass and 176th Street, closer to the Legion. There are still spots available. I guess at least 100 cars can find parking here if you're early enough that is.
The other parking is in an alley behind 176th Street. Access is from 56A Avenue or if you're on 57th Avenue, its behind the Cloverdale firehall. There is parking there for about 40 cars.
The next option is the Cloverdale Fairgrounds. There is room for hundreds of cars to park. When the lot is full they send them up a roadway above the racetrack and Stetson Bowl and they also park cars on the racetrack. Parking cost $10 in 2011. I'm not sure if its going up this year.
For free parking the best place is to look on residential streets. The above streets that I mentioned that are closed on Saturday morning for the parade route and set up have lots of parking. The next best place to find parking is on residential streets between 176th Street and 172nd Street and 60th Avenue and 64th Avenue. This place will be jam packed with cars once the fair and rodeo starts. Not so much during the parade because its farther to walk.
Getting back to the parade, its almost impossible to find a parking spot on 60th Avenue mostly due to no parking signs but the further you get away from 176th Street the more likely a spot can be found. Also south of 60th Avenue in the residential area there might be some parking spots. Stay away from 57th Avenue south of the Cloverdale Bypass. Its no parking on the street anymore since they changed it after the new strip mall Brick Yard Station went in. I'd also recommend not looking for a place to park on 58th Avenue west of the Cloverdale Bypass. Its currently under road work and putting in new water lines. These are union workers. They're not working on Saturday. But all their machinery, the pipes, their trailers, etc are all on the side of the road where people would normally be able to park their cars.
Some residents offer paid parking on their driveways for a few bucks less than the fairgrounds charges. Also the local churches offer parking in their lots for a couple of bucks less than what the fairgrounds charges. Check the United Church on the corner of the Cloverdale Bypass and 58th Avenue, Cloverdale Reformed Church on 60th Avenue in the 174 block.
Riding a motorbike? I don't know for sure this year but in past years motorbikes park for free near the ticket booth on 62nd Avenue. This is a restricted area during the rodeo weekend so you need to have a rodeo pass or a license at Fraser Downs racetrack to get down this road. But there has always been free parking in the past if you're riding a motorbike in a small dirt lot near the barn area. Might be worth checking out.
Oh another warning. Do not even think about parking your car at Clover Crossing on 64th Avenue and 176th Street and walking over to the fairgrounds. This is 2 hour parking for customers only. The mall hires security during the rodeo weekend to keep an eye on the cars and that people who are parking there are going into one of the stores there. If you go into Tim Hortons or McDonalds, buy something, go out the other door and head to the fairgrounds, you'll probably still get caught and might not have a car waiting for you when you return. I usually avoid this whole area due to traffic but a couple of years ago I had to stop at PriceSmart or London Drugs for something. I had my dog in the car, windows open of course, and parked near one of the security guards. My dog kept barking at him and he moved away but clearly I was heading into the store to buy something real quick. I think he might have been on to me if I'd left the dog in the car parked there for a few hours.
I can't stress enough not to park where you shouldn't be parking with those fast moving bylaws officers on the prowl. And arriving early to look for free parking if you want to see the parade.
To start off with - the City of Surrey has fast moving parking bylaw enforcement officers who work 24 hours. The company who gets the contract with Surrey keeps getting it renewed because they bring in LOTS of money, well over the quota. The parking enforcement officers congregate in Cloverdale during the long weekend in May because it is a windfall for them. I see cars with parking tickets on their windshields everywhere! This is a good place to remind everyone if they see "no parking" signs, don't be tempted to park there because you see a lot of other cars parked there. If you see signs that say 15 minute parking or 2 hour parking, don't think that does not apply on a holiday weekend. Don't park too close to stop signs or fire hydrants or otherwise park illegally. Saving $10 on parking at the fairgrounds will cost you a $40 ticket or whatever the city charges for parking infractions.
If you are coming into Cloverdale for the rodeo parade on Saturday May 19 2012 you need to arrive in the 176th Street area no later than 8:30am. The streets are closed off around that time and besides all the parking spots will be taken. Look for temporary "no parking" signs. They will be roughly everywhere between 176th Street and 177B Street and all the side streets from 58A Avenue and Highway 10. This is either the parade route or where the parade entries are setting up.
If you arrive early enough before the streets are closed down, head to the public parking lots on 176A Street. One is close to 57th Avenue, behind the Clover Inn and the Clova Theatre, the other is down on the corner of 58A Avenue, across the street from the bowling alley. Not lots of parking. Maybe 100 spots between the two lots. The other option is the old Cloverdale Mall. Enter on 57th Avenue between the Cloverdale Bypass and 176th Street, closer to the Legion. There are still spots available. I guess at least 100 cars can find parking here if you're early enough that is.
The other parking is in an alley behind 176th Street. Access is from 56A Avenue or if you're on 57th Avenue, its behind the Cloverdale firehall. There is parking there for about 40 cars.
The next option is the Cloverdale Fairgrounds. There is room for hundreds of cars to park. When the lot is full they send them up a roadway above the racetrack and Stetson Bowl and they also park cars on the racetrack. Parking cost $10 in 2011. I'm not sure if its going up this year.
For free parking the best place is to look on residential streets. The above streets that I mentioned that are closed on Saturday morning for the parade route and set up have lots of parking. The next best place to find parking is on residential streets between 176th Street and 172nd Street and 60th Avenue and 64th Avenue. This place will be jam packed with cars once the fair and rodeo starts. Not so much during the parade because its farther to walk.
Getting back to the parade, its almost impossible to find a parking spot on 60th Avenue mostly due to no parking signs but the further you get away from 176th Street the more likely a spot can be found. Also south of 60th Avenue in the residential area there might be some parking spots. Stay away from 57th Avenue south of the Cloverdale Bypass. Its no parking on the street anymore since they changed it after the new strip mall Brick Yard Station went in. I'd also recommend not looking for a place to park on 58th Avenue west of the Cloverdale Bypass. Its currently under road work and putting in new water lines. These are union workers. They're not working on Saturday. But all their machinery, the pipes, their trailers, etc are all on the side of the road where people would normally be able to park their cars.
Some residents offer paid parking on their driveways for a few bucks less than the fairgrounds charges. Also the local churches offer parking in their lots for a couple of bucks less than what the fairgrounds charges. Check the United Church on the corner of the Cloverdale Bypass and 58th Avenue, Cloverdale Reformed Church on 60th Avenue in the 174 block.
Riding a motorbike? I don't know for sure this year but in past years motorbikes park for free near the ticket booth on 62nd Avenue. This is a restricted area during the rodeo weekend so you need to have a rodeo pass or a license at Fraser Downs racetrack to get down this road. But there has always been free parking in the past if you're riding a motorbike in a small dirt lot near the barn area. Might be worth checking out.
Oh another warning. Do not even think about parking your car at Clover Crossing on 64th Avenue and 176th Street and walking over to the fairgrounds. This is 2 hour parking for customers only. The mall hires security during the rodeo weekend to keep an eye on the cars and that people who are parking there are going into one of the stores there. If you go into Tim Hortons or McDonalds, buy something, go out the other door and head to the fairgrounds, you'll probably still get caught and might not have a car waiting for you when you return. I usually avoid this whole area due to traffic but a couple of years ago I had to stop at PriceSmart or London Drugs for something. I had my dog in the car, windows open of course, and parked near one of the security guards. My dog kept barking at him and he moved away but clearly I was heading into the store to buy something real quick. I think he might have been on to me if I'd left the dog in the car parked there for a few hours.
I can't stress enough not to park where you shouldn't be parking with those fast moving bylaws officers on the prowl. And arriving early to look for free parking if you want to see the parade.
Tuesday, May 3, 2011
Fence Coming Down at old Cloverdale Mall
Today there is a crew dismantling the temporary fencing that was around the old Cloverdale Mall while they were doing the demolition. The lot is now full of crushed concrete and debris that has been graded into a fairly flat surface. Makes a good fill. I'm not sure what they start doing next.
In the past this parking lot has been used primarily by visitors to the rodeo during the May long weekend. With the fence up there is maybe 10 parking spots if one enters off 58th Avenue near the Cloverdale Bypass. There is more parking around the Cloverdale Legion off 57th Avenue but there are cements barricades up not allowing anyone to drive past them. However with the fence coming down that opens up many more parking spots along the west side of the former mall closests to the Cloverdale Bypass, able to access from either 57th or 58th depending on where the rodeo volunteers are setting up barricades that morning. Usually vehicle traffic is not allowed to turn onto 58th Avenue off the bypass.
Also there would be lots of parking spaces available on the crushed concrete site of the old mall. However I think only someone driving a beat up pick up truck might attempt that!
In the past this parking lot has been used primarily by visitors to the rodeo during the May long weekend. With the fence up there is maybe 10 parking spots if one enters off 58th Avenue near the Cloverdale Bypass. There is more parking around the Cloverdale Legion off 57th Avenue but there are cements barricades up not allowing anyone to drive past them. However with the fence coming down that opens up many more parking spots along the west side of the former mall closests to the Cloverdale Bypass, able to access from either 57th or 58th depending on where the rodeo volunteers are setting up barricades that morning. Usually vehicle traffic is not allowed to turn onto 58th Avenue off the bypass.
Also there would be lots of parking spaces available on the crushed concrete site of the old mall. However I think only someone driving a beat up pick up truck might attempt that!
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