Last month, Tempe completed construction on the Country Club Way Path. This helpful piece of infrastructure is a one-mile segment of multiuse pathway. It travels north/south between Warner Road and Elliot Road.

While one mile of pathway sounds unimpressive, the Country Club Way Path provides a significant connection.

I used to ride along Dobson Road in Chandler to travel north and south. Dobson Road is a major thoroughfare with tens of thousands of cars per day. I’ve also seen multiple car accidents within the past two months along Dobson, so I don’t feel safe biking along that road anymore.

It’s great to see Tempe providing real solutions, rather than just talking about them.

Access to the Country Club Pathway

From the southern end of the path at Warner Road, pedestrians and bicyclists now have a protected crossing with a traffic signal. The traditional traffic signal completely stops traffic to allow you to cross safely.

There are also two mid-path access points. One is found at E Buena Vista Drive. The other is at E Citation Lane.

On the northern side, the pathway corridor ends at the intersection of Elliot Road and S Shutterfly Way.

It’s important to know that the pathway travels between a business park and a subdivision. Most neighborhoods in this area are bordered with long, uninterrupted walls.

I mention that because the access points at Warner Road, E Buena Vista Drive, E Citation Lane, and Elliot Road are the only ways to get onto this path.

What to Expect Along the Path

Travelers and pedestrians are greeted with two parallel routes. The primary pathway is concrete. Alongside that path, there is a decomposed granite path which is intended for equestrian use. There is a neighborhood nearby with horse property, so this accommodates that need.

The center “median” between the two paths features desert-adapted landscaping and solar-powered lighting.

Houses, trees, and parking structures provide opportunities for shade except when the sun is directly overhead.

Country Club Way Path Amenities

Towards the northern end of the Country Club Way Path, pathway users have a new rest area. A modern metal structure provides shade, chairs, bicycle repair tools, an air pump, a repair stand for quick mid-ride adjustments, two single-bike bicycle racks, and, most importantly, a water fountain.

I also just learned yesterday about a lake near the path. There is a nondescript side path which intersects with the pathway midway between Elliot and Warner.

It travels a short distance until it arrives at a pleasant patio area. There are concrete tables with built-in grids for playing chess and checkers, as well as a small fountain and a shade structure. I didn’t see any signs about closed to public or anything like that.

Back on the pathway, there are restaurants at the path’s intersection with E Elliot Road. The Discovery Business Park has multiple “fast casual” options. As of June 2025, Smashburger, Jimmy John’s, Thai Chili 2 Go, Mod Pizza, Chipotle Mexican Grill, and Kneader’s are at this intersection.

Other Routes

The most important connection for this pathway is at Shutterfly Way. Shutterfly Way is a relatively quiet street with a wide bicycle lane.

A half mile north of Elliot, it intersects with the Western Canal. A pedestrian-only bridge crosses the canal before it becomes S Country Club Way.

Once over the canal, S Country Club Way is now an excellent residential road which can be used to get to basically any other bicycle route in Tempe.

Warner Road does have a bicycle lane which travels east/west. It is a major road which is shared with cars. The bike lane is comfortably wide and now has green paint along the way. However, I know that not everyone is comfortable biking along it.

Kenwood Lane, which is immediately west of the pathway at Warner Road, can provide a creative connection to other neighborhood routes. That road is only useful if you are willing to cross McClintock Drive without a traffic signal (easier on the weekends).

Citation Lane or East Buena Vista can be used to get to other quieter residential streets.