Commentary by the artist,
Lea Goode-Harris, Ph.D.

Labyrinths are found around the world and throughout history. These diverse symbolic and archetypal designs usually have a single path leading to the center and back out again. Labyrinths differ from mazes, which have false starts and dead ends. The Snoopy Labyrinth developed from a series of synchronistic events. Unbeknownst to me, Jean F. Schulz, the wife of the late Charles M. Schulz, was looking for an artistic creation through which to connect people with nature at the new Charles M. Schulz Museum, set to open the following August, 2002. Simultaneously, in the early spring of 2001, I had been asked by the Luther Burbank Home and Gardens to give a talk on labyrinths; the date was set for Tuesday, September 11, 2001.

Given the tragic events of the day, the talk was nearly canceled, but we ultimately decided to go ahead. Mrs. Schulz was part of the group gathering that evening to enjoy the Luther Burbank Gardens, to walk and learn about labyrinths and, as it transpired, to connect with others trying to deal with the pain and loss of 9/11. A month later, Mrs. Schulz contacted me, asking if I might create a labyrinth in the shape of Snoopy’s head. Delighted, I told her it would be an honor. So, to the recorded music of the Peanuts Gang, and a little Snoopy image before me, the meandering paths of the contemporary Snoopy Labyrinth emerged from my creative imagination.

The Snoopy Labyrinth is unique in several ways. This labyrinth, in the shape of Snoopy’s head, has two distinct, but complementary, areas. Winding through Snoopy's nose, you will encounter a meander switch-back; when you find yourself in Snoopy's ear, you will have navigated a two-circuit, classical-style labyrinth. The entire journey in and out of the Snoopy Labyrinth is about 875 feet, or one-sixth-of-a-mile.

Snoopy's nose, eye, and ear are for sitting, contemplating, and reflecting upon the surrounding natural beauty. Walking the Snoopy Labyrinth, your body aligns with the natural energies of the land. Snoopy's gaze is toward the 5:52 AM local Summer Solstice sunrise. At 6:30 AM on the Solstice the sun appears above the ice-arena, sending a beam of light illuminating Snoopy’s eye-bench. And on any day, while sitting upon Snoopy's ear, you look upon a beautiful Sycamore tree, towards the heart of the city of Santa Rosa.

Coordinates: 38° N 27.6' & 122° W 42.1'

We hope your experience of the Snoopy Labyrinth brings play and self-discovery. The paths are wheelchair accessible (narrowest measurement is 34 inches). So whether you run, walk, stroll, or use your computer keyboard with the new 3D Snoopy Labyrinth on-line, you just might see and hear what Snoopy sees and hears. And that would be a wonderful thing!

Take a Walk through the Labyrinth right now!

Using new 3D software programs created by Media Machines (www.mediamachines.com) and Virtock Technologies, Inc. (www.vizx3d.com), Larry Rosenthal (www.cube3.com) brings the Snoopy Labyrinth experience to the internet.

Minimum PC System Requirements:
(Will not run on Macintosh)

Take a walk through the Snoopy Labyrinth!

Photos by Lea Goode-Harris, Ph.D. and Rick Samuels
Please note that all photos are copyrighted and may not be reprinted or taken from this website without written permission.