Ok I admit it fits within the dictionary definition of “any scenic trail or route” but I still do not see how you can call an asphalt path a greenway even if you cleverly label the asphalt as “all-weather surface”.

Should not a greenway be somewhere you can get away from the asphalt jungle of the city to at least the illusion of nature?

I came across a big colourful poster singing the city’s praises last night for the new greenway and found myself wondering if a greenway should not involve more green and natural surface than asphalt?

I am reasonably sure that the purpose of the provincial grant was to make the greenway as green and nature friendly as possible. Not for the city to slap down some asphalt to do it as cheaply as possible so that leftover monies could go to feed City Hall’s voracious appetite for taxpayer dollars to waste on such things as nice big colourful posters telling citizens how wonderful the city’s actions are.

Or the next thing you know we will have a massive advertising campaign selling us the wonders of City Hall’s really big greenway – South Fraser Way.