desire path: a landscape architect term which refers to an unofficial walkway created by the footfall of many individuals over time which usually is a shortcut or a more efficient and preferred route than the official one on a journey between two destinations.
I recently came across (feel free to click to view what I saw) a term for something I did not realize even had a name: desire paths. The term may well be in use for only a few years, however I suspect their existence has been around about as long as there have been people walking on our planet. Have you ever seen walkways that are obviously not official, yet they appear to be in regular use by virtue of their very presence in the landscape? Long before hearing the term, the first one I noticed is one I have frequently used for the last number of years, and it is the one appearing on the left in the photo collage.
So when I bumped into the term, that particular one immediately came to mind. And just as an example of how frequently they can be used, before I was ready to capture the image above, somebody was walking on it towards me, so I waited a few moments for them to be out of the viewfinder, so as not to include them in the photo. However before I could capture the image, someone else came from behind me to walk on it, and rather than wait until they, too, were out of sight, just in case somebody else would be walking there towards me again, I decided to capture the image just as that individual approached the connecting – and official – sidewalk.
The link above refers to a post which in turn connects to other posts and also some photo images on the same topic. What I enjoyed most in that article, however, is a story of Walt Disney and his alleged response to theme park officials that were expressing their concern about the damage being caused to carefully manicured lawns by guests who traipsed across them rather than sticking to official sidewalks. Rather than give the go-ahead of the construction of barriers and signage to direct people to fficial walkways, Disney apparently vetoed that and is attributed to saying the poignant words, “No, they are telling you where to put the paths.”
Desire paths. Despite the references indicated above, there do not seem to be any resources availble with information as to the root of the term or who may have articulated it, so the definition above was created from a culmination of different articles. For example, wikipedia has a recently updated article on it, however does not indicate where the term originated. And if you google it, you will find links of others who have commented on this unique phenomenon who are also wondering where the term comes from. Beyond landscape architecture, they have been used as analogies for various situations and circumstances in business, education, recreation, and internet technology.
Rather than replicate any of the information that is already out there, I just wanted to share the concept for what it is. Have you heard the term? Have you noticed any of them in your travels? Have you ever walked on any? Feel free to share your stories.
References:
Desire Paths by Tony Baldasaro on TransLeadership, August 13, 2009.
Gaston Bachelard: The Poetics of Space + Desire Paths by shape+colour, February 29, 2008.
Word of the Week: Desire Path by Fritinancy, November 20, 2006.
Group on Flickr: Desire Paths.
SELAH: Since learning the term, I have become more and more aware of them in my daily walks. I find it such an interesting concept, Abba. It kind of reminds me of you and what you think about the seven billion+ people on planet earth today, and how you extend your kindness and blessings to all of us without strings attached – kind of like desire paths into our lives. You do not coerce, and you do not seek uniformity and conformity. Your kindness and mercies are fresh every new day, and yet you never insist that anyone receive them or extend them to others. You never obligate us to be thankful for and generous with the gift of life, even though the very term “gift” implicitly points to a generous giver. And when there are those who do not, do not yet, or how do not yet know how to believe in you, you never stop believing in any of us. How amazing is that.
It is a challenging joy and a joyful challenge to discover your desire paths. When I look at at the world around me I see your ingenuity demonstrated everywhere: not one snowflake, tree or sunset, and not one individual person is like the other. And the fact that it is so, makes it hard for me to accept that all of this, and all of us, are here as random happenstance. You are infinitely creative in a time when we applaud those who have made cloning into a skilfully engineered art.
It amazes me that you see me as a unique individual. And it boggles my mind to think how it thrills you when I tire of the status quo and begin to discover the wonder of searching for and following those desire paths which, when I pause to notice them, stir restlessly in my heart. Amen.
Komments By Kris 
August 22, 2011 at 11:56
I have never heard that term before — and it strikes me as somewhat odd. However, I really like the Disney quote, and when I followed the link at the top also found some really good comments about education. Interesting that a ‘scar’ on a lawn and a few comments made by an (albeit brilliant) amusement park creator could impact things like education. And, I wasn’t sure that I understood the link to God, but I guess God does indeed create the desire paths for us — because he desires we follow them and he also knows what we desire. So he’s been “waling them” and making them ready for us to follow.
“Trust in the LORD with all your heart, and lean not on your own understanding; In all your ways acknowledge Him, and He shall direct your paths…Then you will walk safely in your way, and your foot will not stumble… For the LORD will be your confidence, and will keep your foot from being caught.” (Prov 3: 5-6, 23, 26) Also, “Delight yourself in the LORD; and He will give you the desires of your heart. Commit your way to the LORD, Trust also in Him, and He will do it.” (Psalm 37:4-5)
(emphasis on ways/direct/paths/foot/desires…..)
thanks for the post!
oh — and yes, I sometimes take these paths — figuring that others use them they must go somewhere 🙂 Although I actually often avoid the paths and prefer to walk on the grass itself — even if only alongside the path (thinking occasionally that it’s kinder to spread out the footsteps so that the grass has a chance to recover. Perhaps I need to rethink.)
😀
August 22, 2011 at 12:12
Thanks for sharing your thoughts.
I found this such a fascinating concept. Your take on it is interesting, too. I actually wasn’t thinking so much of our paths as his into our lives with countless blessings and a myriad of ways in which he reveals his thoughts, his kindness, his dreams, his care and his goodness towards us.
August 22, 2011 at 11:57
oops — that should read “walking them” rather than “waling them”
August 22, 2011 at 15:24
i understood – figured that was what you meant.
August 23, 2011 at 07:01
I’ve been aware of that term for about 6 years now. There was one on a patch of green outside a flat I lived in, and I’ve notice that many parks have them around the perimeter courtesy of the runners (me included). The park nearest to me (http://www.royalparks.gov.uk/The-Regents-Park.aspx) actually 2 or 3 immediately next to eachother with a small strip of grass between them.
What gets me is that there are enough random people who want to walk the same path, that they actually create one. Maybe the planners need to think more human than neat – people aren’t neat and tidy.
August 23, 2011 at 18:52
thanks for your take on it. i think that people tend to go for what’s efficient and most direct. thank you also for sharing the link to the park – looks like a great place to get your runs in.