|
Project spotlight Mahtomedi, MN Boulder wall · paver circle · firepit · 2023 |
Boulder wall, paver circle, firepit — Mahtomedi, MN
← Back to all projectsOne of our all-time favorites — and we mean it
There are projects you're proud of, and then there are projects that make you stop mid-installation and think — I need something like this at my own place someday. Michael's backyard in Mahtomedi was that project.
The setup was ideal: a natural grade dropping behind the pool, backed by a wall of mature trees. The slope needed addressing, but more importantly it was an opportunity. A single row of boulders — 3 to 4 feet high at the peak, tapering naturally to meet grade on both ends — created a defined upper tier behind the pool without announcing itself. No engineered look, no hard lines. Just stone that looks like it belongs there.
Below the wall, a 16-foot Willow Creek Lakeshore Blend paver circle with a black border ring. A river rock surround between the circle edge and the boulder wall face — the detail that ties natural stone and hardscape together without a seam. And centered in the circle, a Versa-Lok circle firepit kit that draws your eye straight toward the tree line every time you look at it.
Michael got exactly what he was after — a backyard that works as hard as it looks good. We got one of our favorite projects to date.
Also on this property: Natural Stone Steps with Landing → — part of a larger backyard transformation for Michael.
Behind the pool, looking into the woods
Two views of the same project — the detail of the circle from ground level, and the full composition from above showing how the boulder wall, river rock, paver circle, and firepit work together as one cohesive design.
Mahtomedi, MN — boulder wall, 16' Willow Creek paver circle, river rock surround, Versa-Lok firepit · 2023 · Heritage Outdoors LLC
Three materials. One cohesive space.
The challenge with combining a boulder wall, a paver patio, and a firepit in one space is that it can easily look like three separate things that happen to be next to each other. The river rock surround is what prevents that here.
By running river rock between the paver circle's outer edge and the face of the boulder wall, the two hardscape elements — natural stone and manufactured paver — get a transitional layer that reads as intentional. The warm, rounded river rock echoes the shape of the boulders while framing the crisp geometry of the paver circle. It's the detail that makes the whole design feel designed.
The boulder wall itself tapers naturally on both ends rather than terminating in a hard corner — which is how stone works in nature, and how it should work in a backyard. The whole installation sits behind Michael's pool, with the tree line as the backdrop. Late summer evenings out here are exactly what they should be.
Mahtomedi, MN · 2023
Four elements. One backyard.
Questions about paver circles & boulder walls
How much does a paver circle patio cost in the Twin Cities?
A 16-foot paver circle kit like the Willow Creek Lakeshore Blend typically runs $8,000–$14,000 installed depending on base preparation, site conditions, and whether a firepit and surrounding elements are included. Heritage Outdoors provides free on-site estimates — call 651-219-3668.
What is a Willow Creek Lakeshore Blend paver circle?
Willow Creek Lakeshore Blend is a tumbled paver product with warm, earthy tones — blends of tan, brown, and charcoal that complement natural settings like wooded backyards. The circle kit comes pre-cut to form concentric rings, making it ideal for patio circles centered on a firepit.
Can you combine a boulder wall with a paver patio in Minnesota?
Absolutely — and it's one of the most effective design combinations for properties with grade changes. The boulder wall handles the grade transition while the paver circle creates a defined outdoor living space below. A river rock surround between the two ties the natural and hardscape elements together beautifully.
Do you install paver circle patios and boulder walls in Mahtomedi MN?
Yes — Heritage Outdoors serves Mahtomedi, White Bear Lake, Stillwater, and the entire East Metro and Twin Cities area. Call or text 651-219-3668 for a free estimate.
Want a backyard you'll
actually use?
We'll come out, look at what you've got, and design something that fits your yard, your budget, and how you actually want to live outside.