Reminiscing Fredericton

No adventurous pictures today, as I have come down with a cold. I learned my lesson after cycling in the cold rain last night! Instead, I have spent some of my morning researching the city's maps, pictures and culture. First, let me start with a picture from the past.

This photo was taken back in the late 1800's on the intersection of Queen and St. John Street looking west. On the bottom left corner, you can see someones bicycle propped up on the curb as they shop in a general store. Also note, the big oak (elm trees?) in the background. Today the park, Officers Square is there today. Also, who thought you could bring a cow downtown?

Fast forward to 2011, I found the following article on the active transportation page on the city website. Apparently, the city has a "Secured Bike Parking Facility". You can rent out a locker for 10$ from April until December. Honestly, I had no idea it existed! :(

http://www.fredericton.ca/en/recleisure/BikeParking2009.asp

The Green is a very popular tourist attraction, as it follows the St. John River. The trail is paved from the Bill Thorpe Walking Bridge (a converted train bridge), all the way to the light house. They did not finish paving from the light house to Smythe Street last year because of the rainy weather and trail upgrades. This trail is also the fastest way to get from one end of the city to the other without a single worry of being in danger of motorists. Not to mention ATVs and dirt bikes are banned on most of the trails.

Finally, here is a map of the trail system in the city centre. Much of the trail system uses abandoned railway bed. The converted train bridge (Bill Thorpe Walking Bridge) is a major access route to downtown. It is also a great place to meet locals, tourists and if you're lucky around election time- the MPs. Carleton Park, adjacent of the walking bridge is a fantastic place to view the city skyline. With it's proximity to the river and old trees, it is a wonderful place to have a picnic when the weather is nice. If you have a bladder the size of a grape, there are also many washroom facilities along the trails (see map).