Down the Greenway Trail
If you’re looking for a fun outdoor activity to do in Whittier, the Greenway Trail is a must try! This trail is great because you can enjoy the outdoors and learn a little about Whittier’s history while your at it.
The Greenway Trail was a $15 million project that took Whittier ten years of planning. Greenway was once an abandoned Union Pacific Railroad that the city wanted to acquire in order to turn it into something functional for the community to use. It's now the home of wind sculptures, exercise equipment, and “stations” that all represent a different part of Whittier’s history.
The trail is 4.5 miles and begins at Pioneer Blvd near the 405 freeway and runs through Mills Avenue and Lambert. The Greenway Trail is perfect for a bike ride, walk, or simply just to enjoy the outdoors. And if working out indoors (or at all, let’s be real) is not your thing, the Greenway Trail is perfect. There’s a great walking and biking path and four exercise stations with equipment to complete a full-body workout. The equipment is located at Palm Park, Whittier Blvd./Mar Vista, Lambert/Coachman and Lambert/Mills.
-Citrus Station: Located just south of Penn Street and pays tribute to Whittier’s agricultural history.
-Laurel Station: Located on Lambert Rd. west of Calmada Ave. across the street from Laurel Elementary. This station features gardens with native and low water use plants that attracts butterflies and hummingbirds that are also native to the region of Whittier.
-Oak Station: Located on Lambert Rd. west of Mills Ave. This Greenway Trail station highlights the evolution of the city of Whittier. From being found as a Quaker colony to the suburban city it is today.
-Palm Station: Located at Palm Park and celebrates Whittier’s architectural history by showing the different style of Whittier homes through model bird houses.
-Sycamore Station: Located on Whittier Blvd. near Five Points and pays tribute to both native sycamore trees and the transportation evolution. There’s also a little tribute to the once teen culture of “cruising” down Whittier Blvd.
-Walnut Station: Located on Whittier Blvd. at Pacific Place and honors Whittier’s once flourishing walnut industry.
At three “stations” along the Greenway Trail there are Kinetic Wind Sculptures that were designed by artist Lyman Whitaker. Lyman Whitaker has been an artist for 40 years and has been focusing on wind sculptures for the past 19 years. He designed these wind sculptures to resemble trees and flowers blowing in the wind. You can find these sculptures at Palm Station, Sycamore Station, and Oak Station.
The Greenway Trail is a great place to enjoy a bike ride with the family, take a run, or have a quick work out. It not only offers great value to the community, but it also captures the history of Whittier and what the city encompasses today. If you’re looking for a fun activity to do outside, the Greenway Trail is a great option!
References & more information: City of Whittier
