I'd love to know how this came to path
Desire Paths
Desire paths Desire paths can be paths created as a consequence of erosion caused by human or animal foot-fall or traffic. The paths usually represent the shortest or most easily navigated routes between origins and destinations. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Desire_path
It's either pee, or there's a slope/ditch and when raining the water flows only there.
I was thinking there could be a drainage pipe buried in a trench under the "path"
It can also be a hot water pipe, which gives out enough heat to protect the plant roots from freezing during winter.
Or maybe there used to be a path there, while the surrounding area was covered with gravel or something else preventing growth.
That is the most common cause for such phenomena
I impassive it doesn't need to be hot. Regular water is probably enough to keep it above freezing