Cohousing-L Mailing List: Re: The straight and narrow footpath

[David L. Mandel (75407.2361]

Eight feet wide? You've got to be kidding ... point being that not one size fits
all: If our internal footpaths were that wide they'd eliminate at least half of
our green space. We're urban, compact and dense. The footpath that bisects our
main area and goes from the main entrance past the common house to the alley is
all of about 3.5' wide. Others are about 2.5'. Great for bumping into each other
and tricyclists, skateboarders, etc. No major injuries yet. 

Also, I think I've written this before; but we began with a knee-jerk aversion
to concrete, planned to use decomposed granite (there were very few slugs on our
barren site back then). But our contractor eventually talked us out of it due to
cost, tidyness and wheelchair friendliness. You can get used to concrete,
probably more easily if you do it narrow. And now that our gardens are verdant
we do have an abundance of slugs and snails. And guess what: nothing beats
concrete for a squishing surface.

As for gathering spaces, they don't have much to do with the walkways, which are
really mostly utilitarian. The nodes are various spots on the lawn, common house
patio, playground (small kids) and often, private homes' rear decks or front
porches for units that are off the street. When one sits out on them, one is
often soon joined by others. These all face the common courtyards/lawns.
Internal units have small private back yards; street-front units have front
porches there, and they can actually be more private spaces for outdoor sitting.
Houses are designed with high visibility from kitchens and dining rooms to the
common central courtyards where the gathering spots are.

Site plans available on request.

David, Southside Park, Sacramento