Footpath

A Footpath (also pedestrian way, walking trail, nature trail) is a thoroughfare intended for by pedestrians but not by motorized vehicles. The term is often for paths within an urban area that offer shorter quieter routes for pedestrians, they may also provide access to the surrounding countryside or parks. In some parts of the world the term 'footpath' is also used for longer Trails in more remote places.

Terminology

The terms shared-use path, separated-use path or multi-use path may be used if pedestrians and other forms of traffic make use of the same thoroughfare. Footpath can also be used to describe a sidewalk in some regions.

In some regions, such as England and Wales, there are rights of way on which pedestrians have a legally protected right to travel.

National parks, nature preserves, conservation areas and other protected wilderness areas may have trails that are restricted to pedestrians.^[1]

Construction materials

Footpaths may be constructed to facilitate the use of footpaths. Many surfaces are used using "masonry, brick, poured or modular unit concrete, cut stone or wood boardwalk. Also crushed rock, decomposed granite, fine wood chips.

Types of footpaths

Footpaths can be located in many settings for varied uses and experiences.

• As a few examples, these can include:
  • Parks: for means of convenient, recreational, and aesthetic, movement in and through public spaces, urban parks, neighborhood parks, linear parks, botanic gardens, and regional parks.
  • in Gardens and Designed Landscapes: in private gardens, at school-university and business park campuses; and at park visitors centers as natural history interpretive nature trails in designed wildlife gardens.
  • in Sculpture gardens and Open air museums, as Sculpture trails and historic interpretive trails.
  • in a wilderness setting, such as a day-Trail or long-distance trail within a protected nature reserve, such as a national park, from a trailhead.
  • as Jogging paths, horse trails, and mountain biking routes; and
  • as disability handicapped and wheelchair accessible paths meeting ADA specifications in sensory gardens and all the above settings.

See also

References