A mower path assistance system to encircle an obstacle projecting from a ground surface, including a barrier mat formed with a barrier mat aperture enclosed by the barrier mat and having a barrier mat aperture diameter, a perimeter edge, and a barrier mat installation slit extending from the perimeter edge to the barrier mat aperture, wherein the barrier mat is deformable around the barrier mat installation slit to create a pathway having a pathway width through which the obstacle may pass from the perimeter to the barrier mat aperture. The barrier mat has a plurality of edges with axes that intersect at obtuse angles.