Oh what fun.
My personal best discovery for 4 decades. ANYWHERE. Let alone in metro-Phoenix.
Well, maybe Regents Park in London. Or, the Rodan gallery in Paris. But, those were in existence long before my time.
This is something new.
If you like bike riding, this pathway is for you. It's clean, it's spacious, and it's beautuful.
The concrete pathway starts to the East entering off Dobson Rd. It runs north of Riverview Park, the Cubs training facilities, and of Tempe Marketplace.
Continuing west from Tempe Marketplace the pathway extends around Tempe Town Lake and Tempe Beach Park.
This is a fabulous bike ride.
It's clearly a partnership project between Mesa and Tempe. In fact, the pathway changes color and design when crossing from Mesa to Tempe.
Regardless of the design change, it's rich and well maintained.
The north side of the pathway features a 25-30 foot descent to the salt river bottom. This area features run off water, formed into multiple small lakes, and many trees and bushes.
I have yet to see wildlife. I am certain they are out there. But, my treks have been mid-afternoon, traditional rest time.
What wildlife? Owls, for sure. Snakes? Yes there are dry sections with large river rock for sunning. Jackrabbits? Most probably. Bats? Probably.
I have ridden on the path twice, confronting only a couple of other riders.
One can ride east to west, from Dobson Rd to Tempe Beach Park nearly unobstructed. That is, crossing only on streetlight at Hayden.
By my calculation, that makes for 5 miles of biking or running bliss.
Yes, there are minor hills. Nothing an average biker would regard challenging. The pathway winds and curves as well to make it interesting.
As if the scenery isn't enough to make one gasp. I did.
It was "wow" over and over. I will wager all reactions will be similar.
Be prepared to be wowed! read more