Group 5---> Paths

Lauren, Jane, Britany, Brittney, and Chelsea

For our second walkabout, my group chose paths. The pathways that help make sense of Salt Lake City are the many sidewalks, hiking trails, roads and biking lanes that make up our city. My group spent some time hiking, walking around Red Butte Gardens, and even walking around campus. There are thousands of different pathways around campus and up the mountains surrounding us.

Since most of my group had not been through Red Butte Garden before, it was probably the best part of our walkabout. There were rows and rows of a variety of flower species lining the pathways to many of the separate garden sections. The gardens were very peaceful and well taken care of.

Most of the people we encountered were either parents walking their children around the gardens or part of the group of people that were having a party in the pavilion section of the Perfume Garden.

The next place we traveled was on a hike up through the Bonneville Shoreline Trail. Even though we were actually attempting to go someplace else, we thoroughly enjoyed getting lost and running around in a complete circle until we ended up back where we started.

Surrounding the University of Utah are thousands of pathways that lead to many different places like the dorms and the Heritage Center. Walking to and from class, inside the shuttle, and through the dining room of the HC---we are all traveling along the many paths that cover this campus.

For this walkabout, there was no need for public transportation because everywhere we went was in walking distance. We enjoyed being able to identify all of the paths that we take everyday without even knowing it.

All of the paths we encountered had three things in common:

• Definite boundaries

Each side of the path had some sort of structure be it flowers, trees, fences, or walls, which let the traveler know where they are welcome to tread.

• Obvious purpose

All of the paths eventually led to at least one specific destination. Though some of them were more scenic (read: winding) than others, they all lead somewhere.

• Tailored to specific needs

Paths were obviously designed for different people for different purposes. Roads were wide and paved for automobiles, with specific lanes for cyclists. Paths that lead across were also divided so that pedestrians and cyclists could safely coexist. Paths in the gardens and the hiking trails were not always paved. Their design reflects the nature around them.

Pathways are essential to the city's organization. Without these key structural features, life would become chaotic and disorganized. We enjoyed our experience at Red Butte Gardens and learning to navigate the pathways of Salt Lake City.