I have drainage pipes covered with rocks all the way around my patio. It's ugly & don't like walking on rocks

Question:Okay so I have a patio with an awning over it. The water runs off the awning and there are drainage pipes around the patio with rocks covering them. The black stuff that holds the rocks in is coming up and you have to step over it to get in the yard. And the rocks are hard on the feet. First we wanted a deck, but $3000 we do not have. What can we do about these rocks? and drainage? and walking over them? any ideas?

Answers:
Those rocks covering drainage pipes are probably a French Drain. That is an important part of your home's drainage system and is keeping your basement/patio/foundation dry.

Why not put steeping stones as a trail among the rocks to walk on to get to your yard?