Typology
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Circulation
Walkways
| Promenade
|
The promenade, constructed between 1928 and 1931 along the crater
rim, was the primary pedestrian circulation system for the village. The
walk was 2525 feet long (from the lodge to a point 380 feet west of the
Crater Wall trailhead), 8 feet wide, and surfaced with a bituminous
paving. The walk closely followed the edge of the rim, gently curving
and winding to take advantage of splendid views and vistas to the lake.
Before the end of the 1928 construction season, split-stone steps were
under construction, leading from the cafeteria plaza to the Crater Wall
Trail. In 1930, walks in the vicinity of the Crater Wall Trail were
staked and also under construction. Water pipe was layed under these
paths for the drinking fountain in the parapet wall. In 1932, the
promenade was extended east of the lodge, to the Garfield Peak Trail. |
| Crosswalks
|
Secondary paths or "crosswalks" between Rim Village Road and the
crater wall were planned as early as 1929 but not constructed until
1931. Observing visitors at the rim over a number of years, it became
apparent that random circulation and social paths over the site were
having a negative impact on newly established vegetation. By the
following year, several crosswalks were in place (with the exception of
the ones planned for the area directly west of the lodge). These walks
were narrower than the main promenade, ranging in width between 4 and 6
feet, and were designed to echo the curving nature of the promenade
while routing visitors to various activity centers and focal points.
Walkways to the three observation bays were completed between 1931 and
1935. In 1931 the trail to the Sinnott Memorial was realigned from a
steep trail directly above the site, to a more gentle slope west of the
building. Two sets of cut-stone steps and 220 feet of paved walk were
completed that year to assist visitors in accessing the memorial.
Walkways in the bay directly below the lodge were paved in 1932, and the
Mather Bay was paved sometime after 1934. Other walks completed between
1934 and 1938 include the walk through the circular loop in front of the
lodge (1934-35); the walk in front of the cafeteria (1935-36); and the
walks around the plaza comfort station (1938). |
