Pathway Entrances
June 2025
Pathways are the welcome mat to any space, and in many ways, they set the tone for accessibility, aesthetics, and function before someone even reaches the door.
This curvy Pathway guides you directly to the front door.
The UD Checklist for Optimum Pathways
Smooth, level, continuous material for pathway.
Curves in the pathway.
Contrast of either color or material between pathway and porch, pathway and its border.
Pathway is Lighted.
Directs your path to front door.
Width of path should be at least between 32-36”.
Path is not slick when wet.
Zero entry (no steps).
If ramp present, it follows correct rise and run guidelines (more in RAMPS).
If steps are present correct rise and run and handrails (more in Managing Steps).
This is a Good UD option for pathways: because the long, level, smooth pathway guides you to the front door. There is a slope to front door but by using a long pathway they eliminate the need for steps. There is no pathway lighting so safety at night is an issue and the path needs to be wider to allow for wheelchairs and those double strollers! Aesthetically the stones look nice and won’t get slippery when wet.
Pathways: Should be easily seen and direct us to the front entrance as in this picture.
The pathway must be an uninterrupted level walking surface such as concrete or any hard surface on top of concrete.
Personally, I love a pathway that has a gentle curve for additional interest in finding the front door. UD does not have to be boring. It can be unexpected, beautiful and interesting.
All walkways or paths should result in what we call a zero entrance to the front porch, no steps, just a nice flat level surface. This allows everyone to easily and safely approach the front door.
This is one curvy Pathway! They are trying to manage the slope difference between the sidewalk and the front door. Think about “switchbacks” to cut down the slope on a mountain road. I do like some features of this path. The white colored edging(UD) for the path border. This helps one to visually see the edges of the path so you can remain on it! It is level. Brick path definitely leads you to the front entrance. There are no steps, a zero entry! The path will not be slick if wet, path wide, bricks are smooth. Porch and path have contrast. No pathway lighting….
This is a better UD option for Pathways but can we do better yet?
This is a better UD option for pathways because: Pathway curves leading to the front porch and door. Path is a smooth, level surface which will not be slick if wet, there is a contrast between the pathway and the porch surfaces, the path is at least 36” wide, the grass is the “border” to designate the edge of the path, lighting does illuminate the front door and porch but not necessarily the whole pathway. This path leads to the front door with zero entry or no steps!
Lighting: Do you use your smart phone or do you have motion activated lighting to light up the pathway? Using solar, electrical ?
Pathway lighting is essential for directing us safely and comfortably to a front door, again UD.
Don’t forget Path lights in the back yard.
Here is the Best option for Pathways I found in my neighborhood: Path is wide , will not be slick when wet, path curves leading to front door, pathway lighting, grass acts as border to path as well as the shrubbery, zero entry (no steps) . Would I prefer a smoother path texture, YES! for Comfort. Great Universal Design though.
Shrubbery can be used to accent a front pathway directing you to the entrance door as you see in the above photo.
Large Pavers are Popular
Pavers can work well as a path but there are caveats.
Make sure there is little space(1”) between pavers(green door) so no crutch tips or walkers get stuck. Smooth level pavers become a porch and zero entry to the front door. Lights at door. Two photos of pavers(orange door and pebble surround) have a zigzag pattern to deal with slope so their is zero entry. Best option UD for Pathways.
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