I'm a landscape designer and get asked this question a lot. Yes, concrete would last a long time and work fine. From an environmental perspective, however, setting your pavers on some type of permeable base (like gravel) will allow the rain to enter the ground, feed your plants/street trees, and stay out of our overburdened sewer system (which right now lets raw sewage into the ocean when there is a medium-sized rain storm).

Here's a picture of another alternative where you could pave two strips for tires and grass or a ground cover in between:

http://dnr.wi.gov/wnrmag/html/images/photo/2003/feb03/6b.jpg

It may seem like a small act pave a few square hundred square feet of your property, but when you add up all the people who do solid paving (in their back yards and front) it adds up to a real problem.Maybe you could be a green example on your block?

In terms of snow, I tell people to shovel close to the ground and use sand after that. It's not perfect, but it is way more responsible than using salt and concrete.

Posted by: BryanQuinn at June 13, 2009 9:05 AM in response to Set pavers in concrete or gravel

Hi there, actually I am a landscape designer and would be happy to help you in that price range! www.onenaturedesign.com

Posted by: BryanQuinn at April 7, 2009 7:58 PM in response to Design Services for Big Terrace

Can I suggest myself? www.onenaturedesign.com

Posted by: BryanQuinn at April 7, 2009 7:57 PM in response to landscaping recommendation

Is it against the rules to suggest myself? Here is my website: www.onenaturedesign.com

Posted by: BryanQuinn at April 7, 2009 7:17 PM in response to Landscape Design

Try Nicole at Sustain Landscape (www.sustainlandscapedesign.com) -- they've done a lot of work in the area, with both decks and patios.

Posted by: el_nino at April 12, 2009 7:15 PM in response to landscaping recommendation

Try getting in touch with Nicole at Sustain Landscape (www.sustainlandscapedesign.com) -- they've done quite a bit of work around brownstone Brooklyn, and I believe do both design and the work as well.

Posted by: el_nino at April 12, 2009 7:17 PM in response to Landscape Design

I strongly recommend Cary Baker / Wild Pistil Inc. She designs and installs beautiful gardens and is a joy to work with!
her email is cary@wildpistil.com / website is www.wildpistil.com

Posted by: sotobetsy at April 28, 2009 5:21 PM in response to Landscape Design

Already recommended her on another post but want to reiterate that Cary Baker / Wild Pistil Inc is wonderful and she builds fabulous gardens- her website is www.wildpistil.com email is cary@wildpistil.com

Posted by: sotobetsy at April 28, 2009 5:27 PM in response to landscaping recommendation

contact me if you like http://gardentypestudio.blogspot.com/

Posted by: the jibb at August 25, 2009 9:13 PM in response to Landscape Design

contact me if you like http://gardentypestudio.blogspot.com/

Posted by: the jibb at August 25, 2009 9:14 PM in response to landscaping recommendation