[OSM-talk] Path vs footway vs cycleway vs...

[Roy Wallace]

On Tue, Dec 1, 2009 at 2:08 AM, Anthony <osm at inbox.org> wrote:
>
> What if I map the entire section of grass which is within the right of
> way as a polygon with highway=path, area=yes?  That's how we represent
> infinite overlapping criss-crossing "invisible-paths", like a
> pedestrian mall.

Not bad. But what makes that area of grass a "path" as opposed to just
an area of grass you can walk on (e.g. landuse=meadow or something +
foot=yes)? Is there a difference?

I tend to think "paths" should be limited to elongated areas, designed
for or used typically for travel (other than for large vehicles like
cars), with usually a constant or slowly varying width. There's
probably a better definition though.