For years the too small parking area next to the house has been problematic. Regardless of age our friends, you know who you are, crushed my flowering plants along the edge and had to make ten point turns in order to leave. Enough! This year I decided to make the area bigger.
An excavator cut the bank back and removing two dump trucks of soil. After the area was enlarged and regraded it needed a dry stone wall to retain the bank and two large silver maples that had been providing shade to the house for over a hundred years. I got my favorite team of local wall builders Frazier’s of Oneonta to build the wall that now goes either side of the staircase about 55’ feet long x 32” high. I am so happy with the results and look forward to planting the top next spring and watching my friends arrive and park and then drive smoothly away from the house all year round.
Parking area- before shot
Parking area before shot seen from above
new wall form above
Dry stone retaining wall being built.
Staircase tied into new wall.
Extended parking area with dry stone retaining wall.
Rooting for Ideas 
As much as a plantsperson wants to devote every square inch to garden, there are certain realities that have to be faced, like cars. You’ve faced it squarely. I hope you didn’t have to cut back the root systems of your maples too much.
Looking good. Frazier’s does good work.
NICE!! So nice.
mbk
Really nice. I love plants, but a nice hardscape can really show them off so much better. Stone and gravel are my favorites, and you’ve used them well.
Great result, Don. Smart move!
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Thanks Julia
A beautiful wall, Don. I had wondered about a half circle but the long line is both more elegant and practical. I’ve been trying to establish orange lichen on some stones I have — I have only seen gray and white lichens here naturally, but orange (I believe that there is also a red) would be an attractive along your long wall. Ross
Hi Ross, I have a orange lichen/ moss growing on an old milk house wall. I am not sure what it is. I have started planting alpines in some of the crevices of the walls and on top of the walls. I am not sure what I will do with this area yet as I am still adjusting to the change, but thanks good idea.