A Walkway Worth Talking About at Lake Latonka in Mercer, PA
There are good days to work outside, and then there are great days—the kind that make you forget you’re technically on the clock. That’s exactly what we got when we took on a recent project at Lake Latonka in Mercer, PA: clear skies, temps in the upper 70s, and a homeowner who knew what he wanted. Add in a peaceful lakeside setting and you’ve got the perfect backdrop for a walkway transformation.
The Problem
The homeowner’s lakefront property was everything you’d expect from Lake Latonka—scenic, serene, and built for outdoor enjoyment. But there was one issue: getting from the house to the shoreline was more of an off-road adventure than a stroll. The original path was uneven, worn down, and didn’t do justice to the beautiful setting. Worse still, it was a bit of a hazard when wet—especially for guests trying to carry drinks or wrangle dogs.
He didn’t want something generic. No plain concrete slabs or store-bought stepping stones. He wanted a walkway that felt intentional, clean, and like it actually belonged on the property.
The Process
We kicked things off the way all good projects should—walking the space with the homeowner and swapping ideas. He was full of enthusiasm, and we quickly found a design direction that followed the natural slope of the yard, gently curving toward the lake like it had always been there.
With the layout finalized, we prepped the area, cleared out the old materials, and got the foundation just right. The dry conditions helped keep everything on schedule—no puddles, no mud, no delays. We installed a walkway surface built for both looks and longevity, and framed it with local stone accents that tied into the surrounding landscape.
Throughout the day, the homeowner popped out to check the progress, and each time he did, the smile got bigger. We’re not saying we became best friends, but we definitely bonded over good weather and a shared dislike of uneven walkways.
The Solution
By the end of the day—yes, just one day—the new walkway was complete. Clean lines, sturdy footing, and just the right curve to guide people naturally from the deck to the lake. It looked like it had always been there, which is exactly what we were going for.
The best part? The homeowner was thrilled. “You guys knocked it out of the park,” he told us. “I’ll be recommending you to the neighbors.” And in a close-knit place like Lake Latonka, that’s about as good as a billboard.
So now, nestled along one of Mercer County’s most peaceful waterfronts, there’s a brand-new walkway that adds beauty, function, and just a little bit of bragging rights. Not bad for a day’s work—and not bad for a guy who just wanted to walk to the lake without tripping over a tree root.
