Tiered boulder wall & natural stone steps
Saint Anthony Park, Saint Paul
An overgrown hillside out. A backyard worth using in.
Amanda's backyard in Saint Anthony Park had good bones — but you'd never know it looking at it. A steep hillside covered in overgrowth and tangled brush had taken over, and with it went any chance of using that space. In Saint Paul, where yards run modest in size, losing half your backyard to an unruly slope isn't just an eyesore — it's a real loss.
The plan was clear: clear everything, stabilize the hill with a tiered boulder wall, and give Amanda a way to move through her yard with natural stone steps that followed the curve of the land. The tiered design created flat, usable space she could plant with vegetables, flowers, and native plants — on her own timeline and her own terms.
What we didn't plan for was what we found underground. Partway through excavation, we uncovered what appeared to be a headstone. We stopped work immediately, called the Saint Paul Police Department, and waited for clearance. After inspection, they identified it as a Station of the Cross — a religious marker with no cause for concern. We got the green light to continue, Amanda kept the stone, and it now sits at the base of the steps as a quiet piece of history worked naturally into the finished landscape.
Dense overgrowth. A slope that hadn't been touched in years.
The entire hillside had been taken over — brush, weeds, and tangled growth rooted deep into the slope. There was no usable space, no safe way to move through the yard, and no clear path forward without a full demo and regrade.
Saint Anthony Park, Saint Paul — before demo · overgrown hillside · 2025
You never know what you'll find when you start digging in Saint Paul
Partway through excavation, we hit something that stopped us in our tracks — what looked like a headstone buried in the hillside. Standard protocol: stop the machine, call it in.
The Saint Paul Police Department came out, took a look, and made the call — it was a Station of the Cross, a religious marker, not a grave. We got the green light to continue. Amanda kept the stone, and we made sure it had a place in the finished project — set at the base of the boulder steps where it reads like it was always meant to be there.
Tiered walls. Stone steps. A backyard reclaimed.
The hillside went from completely unusable to the best part of the yard. Tiered boulder walls hold the slope in distinct levels — flat, plantable, ready for whatever Amanda wants to grow. Cut boulder steps follow the natural curve of the hill, making it easy to move between levels without a thought. And at the base of the steps, a Station of the Cross that spent decades buried in the hillside now sits in plain sight — a detail that makes this project completely one of a kind.
Completed tiered boulder wall & natural stone steps — Saint Anthony Park, Saint Paul, MN — 2025 · Heritage Outdoors LLC
Boulder wall questions we hear all the time
How much does a boulder retaining wall cost in Minnesota?
Boulder retaining walls in Minnesota typically range from $40–$100+ per square foot installed, depending on wall height, site conditions, and boulder size. Natural boulder steps are generally priced at $300–$550+ per step. Heritage Outdoors has a $5,000 project minimum and always provides a free on-site estimate.
What is a tiered boulder wall and why is it useful in a backyard?
A tiered boulder wall uses multiple stacked levels of natural boulders to manage sloped terrain. Instead of one tall wall, the slope is broken into usable flat terraces — ideal for raised garden beds, seating areas, or lawn space. It's one of the most effective ways to reclaim unusable hillside yards in Saint Paul and the Twin Cities metro.
Are natural boulder walls a good choice for Minnesota's freeze-thaw climate?
Yes — natural boulders are one of the most freeze-thaw resistant materials available. Because they're set on compacted gravel bases with proper drainage rather than mortared in place, they can shift slightly with frost heave and settle back without cracking or failing. They're built to last decades in Minnesota's climate.
Do I need a permit for a boulder retaining wall in Saint Paul?
In Saint Paul, retaining walls over 4 feet in height typically require a building permit. Walls under 4 feet generally do not, though setback requirements from property lines still apply. Heritage Outdoors is familiar with Saint Paul's permitting process and can help guide you through the requirements for your specific project.
Does Heritage Outdoors serve Saint Anthony Park and other Saint Paul neighborhoods?
Yes — Heritage Outdoors serves the full Twin Cities metro including all Saint Paul neighborhoods. We've completed boulder wall, retaining wall, paver, and landscape projects throughout Saint Paul, from Hamline-Midway to Saint Anthony Park to the East Side. Call 651-219-3668 for a free estimate.
Slope taking over your yard? Let's reclaim it.
Jacob will come out, walk the hill, and tell you exactly what it would take. Free site visit, no pressure, honest assessment.
Jacob & Haven. Family owned and operated out of Saint Paul. Hardscape and landscape design-build done right — from the first call to final walkthrough.
651-219-3668 haven@heritageoutdoorsmn.com