- 1). Use wooden stakes and a string to outline the path where you want to lay a sidewalk. If the area will receive a high volume of foot traffic, make the sidewalk at least five feet wide so two people can comfortably pass one another. Add an additional eight inches to the width of the sidewalk if you plan to add a border.
- 2). Dig out the area inside of the outline to remove growth and debris. Continue digging to a depth of six inches. Use a tamper to compact the surface of the soil.
- 3). Lay landscape fabric over the soil and spread a four-inch layer of gravel over the fabric. The fabric and gravel will improve drainage and prevent weeds from growing through the river rocks. Tuck the edges of the fabric beneath the gravel so they don't show.
- 4). Place medium-size stones along the edges of the pathway if you want the sidewalk to have a border. The stones should be larger than the river rocks. Set them in the gravel side by side so they are touching. Use gravel or sand to fill the crevices between the border stones. In addition to adding definition to your sidewalk, stone edging will prevent erosion and grass from encroaching.
- 5). Use a wheelbarrow to transport the river rocks to the site. Dump the river rocks on the surface of the gravel. Spread them evenly with a hoe or shovel in a three-inch layer.
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