Where walkways make the biggest difference
The walkways that matter most in Valley yards are the ones people already walk on dirt or gravel: driveway to side gate, back door to the trash cans, patio to the shed. Gravel paths scatter onto the driveway and track into the house; a 3 to 4 foot concrete path ends both.
| Use | Typical width | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Side path to a gate or trash area | 3 ft | Enough for one person and a bin |
| Front walk to the door | 4 ft | Two people side by side |
| Path for wheelbarrows or carts | 4 ft or wider | Thicken where a mower or cart turns |
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Typical practice. The City of Phoenix exempts ground-level sidewalks on private property from a building permit.
How it is built
- Lay out the path along the route people already walk
- Excavate and compact a base, especially where it crosses old fill beside the house
- Form edges and any steps, with even riser heights
- Pour about 4 inches thick, broom finish across the path for grip
- Joint at regular intervals so cracks follow straight lines
- Slope slightly to one side so water does not sit on it
For the whole strip between the house and the wall, see side yard concrete.