Two Amazon Drivers and a Snow Plow
Kept Ending Up in Her Yard.
A brand new driveway.
And no edge to keep people on it.
Beverly had just had a brand new asphalt driveway installed at her Como Park home — a dead end street in Saint Paul where delivery drivers and service vehicles regularly found themselves at the end of the road, needing to turn around. The problem: two Amazon drivers and her snow removal contractor had already driven off the edge of the new driveway. The grade just dropped away, and without a defined wall, there was nothing to stop it from happening again.
Beverly wanted a Versa-Lok Standard retaining wall to extend the driveway's edge and hold the grade — functional, clean, and finished with a Versa-Lok cap block on top. The wall protects the driveway, defines the property edge, and turns a problem area into one of the better-looking corners of the yard.
Beverly was so happy with the result that she referred her neighbor Cindy to us — and we returned the following year for Phase 2: a full retaining wall and steps project on the same property.
Get a free estimateFresh asphalt.
No edge to hold it.
The new driveway was clean and level — but the grade dropped away at the edge with nothing to define it. On a dead end street where vehicles regularly turn around, that unprotected drop is a liability waiting to happen. Beverly had already proved the point twice with delivery drivers and once more with her snow plow.
A dead end street.
And drivers who found the end of it.
"That's a classic situation — brand new driveway, no wall, dead end street. It was only a matter of time before someone drove off the edge again. The Versa-Lok wall fixed the problem and made the whole area look finished at the same time."
— Jacob Bluhm · Lead Installer · Heritage OutdoorsBlock by block.
Course by course.
Versa-Lok Standard goes in fast when the base prep is right. Each block pins to the course below — no mortar, no guesswork. You can see the wall taking shape along the driveway edge, the pin system locking each course in place before the next one goes on.
Driveway edge defined.
River rock on top.
The completed Versa-Lok wall runs the full length of the driveway edge — clean gray block with a Versa-Lok cap finishing the top. The grade is held, the driveway is protected, and the corner of Beverly's property finally looks the way it should. No more vehicles finding the edge the hard way.
One wall.
Problem solved for good.
This project continued.
See Phase 2 — Spring 2024.
Beverly called Heritage Outdoors back the following spring to expand the scope — a second retaining wall phase on the same Como Park property. See how Phase 2 came together.
View Phase 2 →Retaining walls in Como Park —
what people ask us
How much does a Versa-Lok retaining wall cost in Saint Paul MN?
Versa-Lok block retaining walls in Saint Paul and the Twin Cities typically run $55–$70 per square foot installed. Final cost depends on wall height, length, site access, and any grading or drainage work required. Heritage Outdoors has a $5,000 project minimum. Call 651-219-3668 for a free on-site estimate.
What is Versa-Lok Standard block?
Versa-Lok Standard is a pinned concrete retaining wall block made in Minnesota. The pin system locks each course to the one below it, creating a structurally sound wall without mortar. It's available in multiple colors and textures and is one of the most widely used retaining wall systems in the Twin Cities for its durability and clean finished appearance.
Can a retaining wall be built along a driveway edge in Minnesota?
Yes — driveway edge retaining walls are a common project in Saint Paul and the Twin Cities, especially on properties with grade changes adjacent to the driveway. A properly built block wall defines the edge, prevents erosion, and protects the driveway surface from vehicles drifting off the edge. Heritage Outdoors handles full design and installation. Call 651-219-3668.
What is the difference between a retaining wall and a boulder wall?
A retaining wall typically refers to a manufactured block system like Versa-Lok, which uses uniform pinned blocks for a clean, structured appearance. A boulder wall uses natural fieldstone for a more organic look. Both hold grade effectively in Minnesota's climate. Block walls offer more precision in height and layout; boulder walls are virtually maintenance-free and well-suited for naturalistic settings. Heritage Outdoors builds both — call 651-219-3668 to discuss which is right for your property.
Does Heritage Outdoors serve Como Park and the Saint Paul area?
Yes — Como Park is right in Heritage Outdoors' core service area. We serve Como Park, all Saint Paul neighborhoods, Roseville, Falcon Heights, Little Canada, and the full Twin Cities metro. Call 651-219-3668 or visit heritageoutdoorsmn.com for a free estimate.
Got a driveway edge that needs
a wall to protect it?
Whether it's a grade change, an unprotected drop, or just a corner of the property that needs to be finished right — Jacob will come out and tell you exactly what it would take.
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