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Charlotte Pros > Blog > Outdoor Living > Charlotte NC > Plaza Midwood Backyard: Curved Retaining Walls, Paver Patio & Artificial Turf

Plaza Midwood Backyard: Curved Retaining Walls, Paver Patio & Artificial Turf

October 9, 2026

completed plaza midwood charlotte nc backyard with curved segmental block retaining wall, paver patio upper tier, and artificial turf play area — clt pros
Project Case Study · Plaza Midwood, Charlotte, NC

A sloped, hard-to-use urban backyard became tiered living space: two curved retaining walls, a paver patio with steps, and an artificial turf play area.

2 walls
Curved segmental block
Paver patio
Tumbled pavers with steps
Turf
Play area, pea gravel border
4 days
Start to finish
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overhead view of multi-tone tumbled paver patio with curved retaining wall edge and step access to lower yard in plaza midwood charlotte nc
Paver patio & steps
Tumbled pavers on the upper level, with steps down the wall.
completed plaza midwood charlotte nc backyard with curved segmental block retaining wall, paver patio upper tier, and artificial turf play area — clt pros
Curved retaining walls
Two curved walls create level tiers on a small lot.
aerial overhead shot of artificial turf play area with pea gravel border and segmental block edging wall at plaza midwood charlotte nc — clt pros
Turf play area
Artificial turf framed by pea gravel and mulch beds.

The challenge: a small, sloped city lot

Lots in Plaza Midwood are tight, and this one also sloped. The yard below the deck was uneven and hard to use.

The homeowners wanted a patio for adults and a clean, soft space for kids to play, without giving up the little room they had.

Project at a glance
LocationPlaza Midwood, Charlotte, NC
CompletedAugust 14–17, 2026
WallsTwo curved segmental block retaining walls
PatioMulti-tone tumbled pavers with integrated steps
Play areaArtificial turf, pea gravel border, mulch beds
DrainageFrench drain behind the lower wall

How we did it

  1. Clear and grade. We cleared the overgrown areas and cut the slope into level tiers.
  2. Build the walls. Two curved segmental block walls hold each tier, with a French drain behind the lower wall for subsurface drainage.
  3. Patio and steps. Tumbled pavers on the upper level, with steps built into the wall for access.
  4. Turf, gravel and beds. Artificial turf on the lower level, a pea gravel border, and fresh mulch beds.
ground-level view of segmental block retaining wall with paver walkway below and artificial turf level at base in plaza midwood charlotte nc — clt pros
Wall face and steps
wide-angle view of plaza midwood charlotte nc backyard showing artificial turf play area, pea gravel border, mulch beds, and retaining wall patio above — clt pros
Turf, beds and walls together
street-level view of completed artificial turf area with curved segmental block border wall, mulch planting beds, and deck above in plaza midwood charlotte nc — clt pros
Turf with a curved block border
Small or sloped yard?

Tiers and retaining walls can turn a slope into usable space, even on a tight city lot. Get a free on-site estimate.

Why the French drain behind the wall matters

Retaining walls hold back soil, and soil holds water. A drain behind the lower wall gives that water a way out, which relieves pressure on the wall and keeps the turf and patio below from flooding.

The finished yard

The yard now steps down in clean levels from the deck: patio up top, turf play area below, and planted beds framing both.

completed plaza midwood charlotte nc backyard with curved segmental block retaining wall, paver patio upper tier, and artificial turf play area — clt pros
overhead view of multi-tone tumbled paver patio with curved retaining wall edge and step access to lower yard in plaza midwood charlotte nc
ground-level view of segmental block retaining wall with paver walkway below and artificial turf level at base in plaza midwood charlotte nc — clt pros
wide-angle view of plaza midwood charlotte nc backyard showing artificial turf play area, pea gravel border, mulch beds, and retaining wall patio above — clt pros
aerial overhead shot of artificial turf play area with pea gravel border and segmental block edging wall at plaza midwood charlotte nc — clt pros
street-level view of completed artificial turf area with curved segmental block border wall, mulch planting beds, and deck above in plaza midwood charlotte nc — clt pros
All 6 photos from this project. Tap any photo to enlarge it.

Want to see more? Browse before-and-after photos from all of our jobs in the CLT Pros project gallery.

Questions homeowners ask us

Do retaining walls need drainage?

Yes. Water building up behind a wall is one of the most common reasons walls lean or fail, so we include drainage behind the walls we build.

Can you fit a patio and turf in a small yard?

Yes. Splitting a slope into tiers is often the best way to get two usable areas out of a small lot, as this project shows.

Is artificial turf good for kids?

It is a popular choice for play areas because it stays green, does not get muddy, and is soft underfoot.

How long did this project take?

Four days from clearing to finished turf.

Related services

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Article by Tyler O'Brien

Tyler O’Brien is the owner and field manager of Charlotte Pros, leading with hands-on expertise and a sharp eye for detail. He oversees every project with precision, ensuring quality craftsmanship and customer satisfaction across the Charlotte region.