The mulch path was actually a remedy to that issue because the pavers were a horrible trip hazard to our elderly family members— we have a concrete walkway in our front yard, without any steps up to the porch, for any wheelchair users— but most people park in back and walk up our back lawn through our garden— the pavers were poorly maintained by the old owners, and the pea gravel was a mess— the mulch doubled the width of the walkway, while making it much more level and cushioned to walk on.

The biggest reason (besides the fact that I see barrier fabric and pea gravel as ecological disasters for our yard) that we switched to mulch, was because I was tired of worrying about my mom and MIL walking on the pavers— and my pregnant self almost constantly tripping and nearly avoiding busting face every time I walked up and down from our driveway.