The Great Canadian Waterfront Thread - Page 4

eemy · #61 Posted **Nov 21, 2014, 1:25 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by wg_flamip

Weird. A summer thunderstorm can be quite nice as long as you're not caught outside and it's not happening everyday. After several days above 30 with humidity beating down on you, the cathartic release of violently thrashing rains, deafening thunder and wild forks of lightning comes as a welcome relief.

To bring this back to the waterfront: I think one of the most beautiful moments I've experienced in Toronto occurred on a summer night out on the Leslie St. Spit. Behind us and across the harbour, the skyline was silhouetted by the pink-and-purpling twilight. Above us, the stars were beginning to poke out from the deep blue sky. But the lake before us was nothing. A void. The horizon did not exist. The water and sky met in a impenetrable haze with no definite beginning or end. Distant thunder rumbled over the surface of the lake, with intermittent forks of lightning appearing out of nothing, hinting only for a moment at the rolling clouds above and the we're-just-getting-started waves below. We sat on an old log taking it all in silently, half-terrified we'd be caught on the bare and narrow spit when the storm rolled in. The park was closed and there was no one around, just the fresh smell of the churning lake and the refreshing taste of a cool wet breeze through a three-days-stale and sweltering city.

Absolutely magical.

Sometimes I wish I could like or thumbs up a post. This description is outstanding; they say a picture is worth a thousand words, but you did pretty fucking good with a lot less. Are you a writer?

Riise · #62 Posted **Nov 21, 2014, 2:50 PM**

A couple shots from Calgary's Riverwalk.

Source: CalgaryHerald.com

By: LUMIN8 @ Flickr

Source: Stantec.com

leftimage · #63 Posted **Nov 21, 2014, 3:18 PM**

Chick chillin', photo by me.

Echoes · #64 Posted **Nov 21, 2014, 3:47 PM**

Scenes from Saskatoon's most treasured asset, its riverfront:

IMG_7998 by echoes320, on Flickr

IMG_7771 by echoes320, on Flickr

IMG_7835 by echoes320, on Flickr

IMG_4493 by echoes320, on Flickr

IMG_2346 by echoes320, on Flickr

IMG_2795 by echoes320, on Flickr

IMG_2620 by echoes320, on Flickr

IMG_2325 by echoes320, on Flickr

IMG_7848 by echoes320, on Flickr

IMG_8198 by echoes320, on Flickr

IMG_8163 by echoes320, on Flickr

IMG_8002 by echoes320, on Flickr

IMG_7844 by echoes320, on Flickr

IMG_2588 by echoes320, on Flickr

IMG_3977 by echoes320, on Flickr

IMG_3824 by echoes320, on Flickr

IMG_3842 by echoes320, on Flickr

Nouvellecosse · #65 Posted **Nov 21, 2014, 5:42 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by Drybrain

EDIT: I just saw NouvelleEcosse's comments on the Halifax watefront--I'd say that the parking is a necessary evil, since let's be honest, the area attracts a lot of tourists from out of town or rural areas, and it'd be a losing battle not to provide parking. The parking isn't right up against the water, and really, I rarely notice it when I'm down there. Plus, a lot of it is slated for redevelopment now. There are ways it can be improved, but I think it's fantastically successful as-is.

If by now the city can't even support successful urban spaces right in the heart of downtown without them being flanked by large surface parking areas, I may as well give up now and pack my f*cking bags. I think tourists can be very nice and everything, and can help the economy, but if they're going to be a blight on the urban landscape, then they can just cruise on up to Moncton and enjoy all the lovely surface parking they want. Perhaps they can stroll the waterfront of the beautiful Muditcodiac river.

There are a lot of things that I'm rather pragmatic about - but downtown surface parking isn't one of them.

Drybrain · #66 Posted **Nov 21, 2014, 6:02 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by Nouvellecosse

If by now the city can't even support successful urban spaces right in the heart of downtown without them being flanked by large surface parking areas, I may as well give up now and pack my f*cking bags. I think tourists can be very nice and everything, and can help the economy, but if they're going to be a blight on the urban landscape, then they can just cruise on up to Moncton and enjoy all the lovely surface parking they want. Perhaps they can stroll the waterfront of the beautiful Muditcodiac river.

There are a lot of things that I'm rather pragmatic about - but downtown surface parking isn't one of them.

Oh, I agree it needs to be filled in. I've just never found it to be too intrusive. Certainly it'd be better if there were buildings there—especially the old Customs House that was torn down across from the Dominion Building. But we still do need to provide some parking for Joe and Jane Schmo from Bouctouche or Truro or wherever—but it should be more densely stacked and occupy less land.

Nouvellecosse · #67 Posted **Nov 21, 2014, 6:08 PM**

Considering a lot of the peak tourist times are outside regular business hours such as weekends and holidays, perhaps they could just park in existing facilities like metro park or those huge Purdy's garages. These are both blights in their own right and I would never advocate building any more of them in central areas, but we may as well utilize what we already have.

And of course, Halifax isn't that large a city. If the tourists are staying in any of the downtown hotels, they can easily walk to the waterfront and back and leave the car in the hotel's parkade.

someone123 · #68 Posted **Nov 22, 2014, 2:46 AM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by Drybrain

But we still do need to provide some parking for Joe and Jane Schmo from Bouctouche or Truro or wherever—but it should be more densely stacked and occupy less land.

Most new developments have underground parking, so they don't necessarily lead to a net decrease in spots, although they do create more pressure because they bring in more people. I think this is sort of working as intended and I wouldn't be too upset of Joe from Bouctouche had to walk a few blocks or take transit.

The waterfront is a special case in Halifax development-wise because it's managed by a provincial authority. They collect revenue from the parking, so I think this is part of the reason why those lots have been so slow to develop. There was also a bit of bad luck with the Salter block not getting off the ground; that could have easily gone the other way. The Cunard block is a bit smaller but development there will make a big difference:

http://southwest.ca/2014/09/southwest-reveals-redesign-cunard-project/

Parking aside, it's kind of neat that you can still see lots of heritage buildings from the water.

Old wharf buildings in Canada are pretty rare, let alone stone ones from 1790!

I like the industrial stuff and bridges too (they're essentially "waterfront"):

(photos are mine)

ssiguy · #69 Posted **Nov 22, 2014, 6:49 AM**

Vancouver's Waterfront is so beautiful it's awe inspiring. Gorgeous Stanley park, the Seawall, and the breathtaking views and ambience of English bay. This is why people in the 60s and 70s use to come out to Vancouv3er in the summer and just relax for the summer before heading back east.

The parks and beaches along the Waterfront are beautiful and when going around the Seawall you really can leave the city behind. You are only a little ways from the West End but feel like you are in the country. Few cities in the world offer the ability to be in the heart of the city and in a wilderness within just a few blocks.

The only thing I wish they would have done with the newer sections {ie east of Granville and along Coal Harbour} is made the condos more midrise and had restaurants and cafes at the base. It's really weird how you can walk the entire Waterfront all along the entire downtown peninsula and yet not be able to grab a coffee and watch the crowds go by.

There is not one restaurant or café along the entire Boardwalk/Seawall {non=Stanley Park}. There maybe one under the Granville Bridge but outside that I don't think there is one. I love Vancouver's Waterfront so please don't get me wrong, I just wish they had incorporated some of the great urbanity into the newer sections like they do in European cities.

I think Toronto has been doing a pretty good job of this where you don't have to leave the beautiful scenery and ambience of the Boardwalk in order to get a coffee, a drink, or have a meal. Toronto's Waterfront is beautiful and getting better all the time and it seems to have incorporated more of the European style of Waterfront than most Canadian cities.

Prometheus · #70 Posted **Nov 22, 2014, 12:18 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by ssiguy

It's really weird how you can walk the entire Waterfront all along the entire downtown peninsula and yet not be able to grab a coffee and watch the crowds go by. There is not one restaurant or café along the entire Boardwalk/Seawall. There maybe one under the Granville Bridge but outside that I don't think there is one.

Why do you insist on talking about a subject you are clearly ignorant of? You don't seem to possess any knowledge of Vancouver post-1986.

In Coal Harbour alone, there are at least 8 restaurants and cafes on the seawall, including:

Bellaggio
Mahoney & Sons
Tap & Barrel
Cactus Club
Mill Marine Bistro & Bar
Cardero's
De Dutch
Admiral Café-Bistro

In False Creek, there are at least another 12 restaurants and cafes on the seawall, including:

The Pirate Pub/Marine Bar & Grill
Provence
CRAFT Beer Market
Mahoney & Sons (Stamps Landing)
Tap & Barrel (Olympic Village)
Terra Breads Café
Dockside Restaurant & Brewing Company

In English Bay, there is another Cactus Club right on the beach (a photo of which was included in the above post on the English Bay Seawall).

Some scenes from the Coal Harbour Seawall:

Photo by Ted McGrath: https://www.flickr.com/photos/time-to-look/sets/72157647337427240

Photo by Mark Morgan: https://www.flickr.com/photos/mark-morgan/15821643281/in/photostream/

Photo by forester401: https://www.flickr.com/photos/401forester/14437438817/in/photostream/

Photo by Nomadic Shutter: https://www.flickr.com/photos/mespeldisco/sets/72157645041665997

Photo by Clayton Perry Photoworks: https://www.flickr.com/photos/claytonperry/

Photo by Mark Morgan: https://www.flickr.com/photos/mark-morgan/sets/72157649298108936

Photo by Clayton Perry Photoworks: https://www.flickr.com/photos/claytonperry/

Photo by Nomadic Shutter: https://www.flickr.com/photos/mespeldisco/sets/72157645041665997

Photo by Victor Andre: https://www.flickr.com/photos/maestro17ca/15445942941/in/photostream/lightbox/

OTSkyline · #71 Posted **Nov 22, 2014, 1:15 PM**

Wow, Vancouver just looks amazing and I really want to move there now. It's one thing to see all these skyline shots here and there with the towers and mountains but to see these closeups shots with the boardwalk and natural settings and such, it's very nice. I've never been but it looks like the city does exceptionally well in creating cool urban spaces and plazas. Something every other canadian city should take note of...

losername · #72 Posted **Nov 22, 2014, 6:35 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by ssiguy

Vancouver's Waterfront is so beautiful it's awe inspiring. Gorgeous Stanley park, the Seawall, and the breathtaking views and ambience of English bay. This is why people in the 60s and 70s use to come out to Vancouv3er in the summer and just relax for the summer before heading back east.

The parks and beaches along the Waterfront are beautiful and when going around the Seawall you really can leave the city behind. You are only a little ways from the West End but feel like you are in the country. Few cities in the world offer the ability to be in the heart of the city and in a wilderness within just a few blocks.

The only thing I wish they would have done with the newer sections {ie east of Granville and along Coal Harbour} is made the condos more midrise and had restaurants and cafes at the base. It's really weird how you can walk the entire Waterfront all along the entire downtown peninsula and yet not be able to grab a coffee and watch the crowds go by.

There is not one restaurant or café along the entire Boardwalk/Seawall {non=Stanley Park}. There maybe one under the Granville Bridge but outside that I don't think there is one. I love Vancouver's Waterfront so please don't get me wrong, I just wish they had incorporated some of the great urbanity into the newer sections like they do in European cities.

I think Toronto has been doing a pretty good job of this where you don't have to leave the beautiful scenery and ambience of the Boardwalk in order to get a coffee, a drink, or have a meal. Toronto's Waterfront is beautiful and getting better all the time and it seems to have incorporated more of the European style of Waterfront than most Canadian cities.

You have that completely backwards, the only part of the seawall without cafes is the Stanley Park part, but even there, there are a few snack shacks at 2nd beach, and 3rd beach.
Jeez you really don't know Vancouver. Even then you should probably do a quick internet search would take you probably 3 min, and you could avoid making such ridiculous claims.

Denscity · #73 Posted **Nov 23, 2014, 5:01 AM**

Hey ssiguy you live in White Rock which has its own beautiful beach and boardwalk scene. How about a bunch of pics from your town??

ssiguy · #74 Posted **Nov 23, 2014, 5:20 AM**

I am willing to admit when I am wrong and it seems I am as it is far nicer {I always considered it a wonderful Boardwalk} in terms of urbanity than I recall.

I still think it's kind of a shame that Canada doesn't have a really unique urban Waterfront like European cities that are lined block after block with interesting shops, restaurants, and cafes right on the waters edge as opposed to being across the street.

As far as White Rock, ya it's a great area and Marine Drive is really nice although few White Rockers actually go there as it is mostly tourist driven.

As far as me put up any pics of it, I don't have a camera or cell phone/Blackberry as I detest both and even if I did I would have absolutely NO idea how to post them. I don't even know how to post a link to a picture just an ordinary website. Even if I had an up to date photo of myself for "post your pic" thread, I wouldn't have the foggiest how to put it up.