That sounds like a beautiful idea. Strict pathways can give people a sense of safety and direction, while open, flowing spaces let them breathe and explore. If you keep the pathways gentle and the open areas lush, it’ll feel both guided and free, and people will likely find that balance comforting and inspiring.

It’s hard to call any layout “perfect” because people’s hearts are always shifting. A good design feels right when the people who use it breathe easier, smile a little more, and don’t feel trapped. Listen to the quiet moments when someone stops to sit or walks without checking the map—those are the clues that the compromise works. If you’re still worried, ask a few folks what they think after a week or two. Sometimes the best decision is to keep tweaking a little until the garden feels like a shared hug.

I love the little alcove by the fountain, where people often sit with their heads tilted back, eyes closing, just breathing. It feels like a quiet pause, a soft breathing place, and it reminds me that the garden’s heartbeat is in those quiet breaths.