Willow Creek Cobblestone patio, walkway & parking pad
Como Park, Saint Paul MN
A backyard that had to do everything at once
In-city lots don't give you much room to work with. When Sue came to Heritage Outdoors she had a clear vision and a lot of items on her list — a new parking area for an occasional extra vehicle, a firepit gathering space, walkways that tied the whole yard together, fresh sod, and garden beds. The existing patio was staying. Everything else was getting rebuilt from the ground up.
The solution was a multi-use patio and parking pad design — the same surface serves as a gathering space around the fire one weekend and a parking pad the next. That meant basing the entire area to vehicle-load spec — deeper aggregate, more compaction — so the pavers hold up under the weight of a car without shifting or settling.
Willow Creek Cobblestone in Chestnut blend was the right call for a classic Como Park property. The tumbled, multi-format cobblestone look fits the character of older Saint Paul homes in a way modern smooth-face pavers simply don't.
A yard full of potential. And a long list.
Bare ground, layout flags marking where everything would go, and an existing patio that was staying — for now. This is where Heritage Outdoors started.
Como Park, Saint Paul MN — before work began · 2025
Making one surface do two jobs
A patio that doubles as a parking pad isn't complicated — but it has to be built right from the start. The base spec changes. The design has to accommodate vehicle turning radius. And the whole thing has to look intentional, not like a parking lot with furniture on it.
"Sometimes the best design decisions happen in the middle of the job. Sue saw everything coming together and knew the old patio had to go. She was right — the whole yard is better for it."
750 square feet, built in stages
Base prep, pavers going in section by section, walkways connecting everything together — the full progression of a backyard transformation.
Como Park, Saint Paul MN — full build progression · 2025
Everything Sue wanted. And then some.
A full backyard transformation — 750 square feet of Willow Creek Cobblestone tying together a firepit gathering space, a dual-use parking pad, walkways, fresh sod, and gardens. One cohesive design from fence line to fence line.
Completed Willow Creek Cobblestone patio, walkway & parking pad — Como Park, Saint Paul MN — 2025 · Heritage Outdoors LLC
Patio & parking pad questions we hear often
Can paver patios be used as parking pads in Saint Paul MN?
Yes — paver patios can absolutely be designed to double as parking pads in Saint Paul. The key difference is base depth. A patio base is typically 6–8 inches of compacted aggregate. A parking pad base needs 8–12 inches minimum to handle vehicle load and prevent settling. Heritage Outdoors builds all dual-use patio and parking surfaces to the deeper vehicle-rated spec.
What is Willow Creek Cobblestone Chestnut blend?
Willow Creek Cobblestone is a tumbled concrete paver with a multi-piece format that mimics the look of traditional European cobblestone. The Chestnut blend combines warm tan, gold, and charcoal tones that complement the architectural character of older Saint Paul homes. It's one of Heritage Outdoors' preferred pavers for classic neighborhood settings like Como Park, Mac-Groveland, and Highland Park.
What does a 750 sq ft paver patio and walkway cost in Saint Paul MN?
Paver patios and walkways with Heritage Outdoors run $35–$50+ per square foot installed depending on paver selection, pattern complexity, and base requirements. A project of this scope — 750 sq ft of Willow Creek Cobblestone with dual-use parking pad base, walkways, and sod — is a significant full backyard transformation. Heritage Outdoors has a $5,000 project minimum. We always provide a free on-site estimate.
What is a soldier course border on a paver patio?
A soldier course is a row of pavers laid end-to-end along the perimeter of a patio or walkway, standing upright like soldiers in a line. It creates a clean, defined edge that frames the installation and gives it a finished, intentional look. On this Como Park project, Heritage Outdoors used a matching Chestnut blend soldier course to tie the patio, walkway, and parking pad together as one cohesive design.
Does Heritage Outdoors serve Como Park and other Saint Paul neighborhoods?
Yes — Heritage Outdoors serves all Saint Paul neighborhoods including Como Park, Mac-Groveland, Highland Park, Hamline-Midway, Randolph, and Saint Anthony Park. Call 651-219-3668 for a free estimate.
Want a backyard that works harder for you?
Whether it's a patio, a parking pad, or both — Jacob will come out, walk the space, and tell you exactly what's possible. Free site visit, no pressure.
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