Pike Hike II Debuts, Highlights Past, Present and Future of Columbia Pike

A crowd of at least 40 people joined Arlington County Board Chairman Chris Zimmerman for a Sunday morning stroll around Columbia Pike Town Center West.

The debut of the Pike Hike II walkabout was hosted by WalkArlington and the Arlington County Fair.

The route gives walkers a glimpse at pieces of the history behind the community, as well as a look forward at improvements planned to make Columbia Pike a pedestrian-friendly main street – including wider sidewalks and street cars.

The walkabout began at the Arlington Career Center and continued past landmarks like Westmont Shopping Center, Alcova Heights Park and Arlington United Methodist Church. Zimmerman, a longtime resident of the area, pointed out some of his favorite spots along the way. 

“I’ve acquired a few calories myself there over the years,” he said as the group passed The Broiler, which claims to have the best Philly cheesesteaks in the Washington metro area. 

Walkers got to answer questions for prizes along the way, and many learned a thing or two about their neighborhood. 

“I never knew Columbia Pike was a pathway for the Civil War,” said Gina Grosso, who lives in a new apartment building on the Pike. 

Eric Goodman, another walk participant, enjoyed hearing about the history of the area but was also interested in the county's plans to make Arlington a more walkable city. He serves on the Arlington Pedestrian Advisory Committee, which looks out for both walkers and cyclists.

“I think it’s a good thing,” Goodman said. “If they stick to the original plan and follow through, that should improve it.”

Along the route, Zimmerman pointed out some of the improvements that have already happened, such as rows of homes along the Pike that have gardens and windows facing the street – which, he said, helps keep the area safer for pedestrians.

“Someone would see it if you were being mugged, so you probably wouldn’t be mugged,” Zimmerman said. “In fact, you probably wouldn’t even think of it because you would feel safe.”

Though there is much more on the way, Kathleen Nevin said she has already seen progress in the Columbia Pike community. 

“It’s really changed in the last 10 years,” she said. “I was always driving through, on my way to somewhere else. Now, there are all these restaurants and shops.”

Nevin also was impressed that Zimmerman himself was out with the group, walking nearly two miles through intermittent showers.

“You’ve braved hills and sun and rain and listening to me talk a lot,” Zimmerman said as the walk wrapped up at a shuttle stop to the county fair. “That’s a lot for one morning.”