Back Yard Fire Pit in Eagan

This backyard had a sloped hillside that wasn't doing anything useful. No usable outdoor space, erosion risk, and nowhere to actually spend time outside. That's exactly the kind of problem we solve with a well-built retaining wall and patio combo.

We started with the wall - Belgard Diamond Straight Wall Block set on 8 inches of 3/4" clear crushed limestone over geotextile reinforcement fabric. That base matters more than most people realize. It's what keeps the wall from shifting or settling over time, especially through Minnesota freeze-thaw cycles. Behind the wall, we ran a full drainage layer of 3/4" clear limestone with 4" drain tile at the base. Water management is the difference between a wall that lasts 30 years and one that fails in 10.

The patio came next. We used 1/2" minus trap rock as the field material - it compacts well, drains even better, and has a clean, natural look that fits right into a wooded backyard setting. The border is Unilock Copthorne Standard pavers, which give the whole space a defined, finished edge. Everything was set on open graded base with polymeric joint sand locking it all together.

One thing worth noting is the curved layout. A curved retaining wall with integrated steps isn't a copy-paste job. It takes careful layout, consistent leveling at every course, and the right block selection to pull off cleanly. You can see the levels were right there throughout the build - nothing was left to eyeballing.

The end result is a backyard that actually functions. The hillside is held back, the patio gives you a real place to be outside, and the steps connect the two levels naturally. It's the kind of work that looks simple when it's done, which usually means everything underneath was done right.