CROSS WEAVE
by Russell Preston

Short cuts can always be found in great places. Cross Weaves are the special paths, hidden lanes and semi-private passages that provide pedestrians another route to travel as they navigate through a neighborhood. Usually formed organically, the Cross Weave is a small path developed over the years. It might occur between two houses leading to the park on the next block or in the thin empty lot at the middle of the block providing access to the rear lane. These types of unique conditions occur throughout New England. As another special element of our cities and towns these Cross Weaves add to the complexity of our landscape.

The best Cross Weaves create an additional network of thoroughfares for one to walk, supplementing the street and the alley. This additional layer also has the potential to be more lush and vegetated than the streets and alleys. It is as if the Cross Weave becomes a rural walking path through the city or town.

These unique public spaces can also be used to lessen the length of existing long blocks or create additional frontage for infill buildings in location with particular deep blocks. An example from Marblehead, MA is shown here where a Cross Weave is used to give access to inner block buildings, a connection to the upper street and create a beautiful view of the main street below. A Cross Weave can be so much more then a short cut and if used well can produce some of the most unique and special places.