WALKS / SIDEWALKS / DRIVEWAYS / PATIOS / PARKING LOTS
Creating a good part of its visual appeal are the Village's traditional brick streets and sidewalks. Even though some streets have been repaved in other materials and a few walks are concrete, brick is the most widely used, appropriate paving material in the Village.

In contrast to its brick streets, only a few of the neighborhood's patios are very old; many have been installed during the last twenty-five years as part of the Village's rehabilitation. Similar to their predecessors, many side yard and backyard patios are either dry-laid brick or brick in mortar beds. Some backyards have poured concrete patios.

When the clip-clop of horses' hooves was heard on Village streets, driveways were virtually unknown. Up to the mid-20th century, relatively few curbs were cut to accommodate driveways. Recently, the need for off-street parking spaces has increased requests for this suburban design element. The Village's few parking lots have helped alleviate some of its parking problems; each lot is designed for minimal visual impact.

Recommendations
1. When paving work is being done for driveways, walks and patios, use the recommended brick patterns shown in photos 65, 66 and 67. Other paving materials can be used, subject to German Village Commission approval. Most walks are paved with dry-laid brick (no mortar), making them easy to remove for utility repairs and easy to repair when damage occurs. If you are installing new paving adjacent to old, match the patterns in the already-existing paving.

2. It is important that the correct kind of brick be used for paving. Avoid using salvaged brick from demolished buildings for paving because they do not have the hard exterior surface and necessary durability. Be sure to use only brick designed for use as paving. Paving brick measures 4" x 4" x 8". It should be laid in a bed of sand. Sometimes a concrete base is installed beneath the sand bed. Any surviving stone curbing should be preserved when brick walks are being laid.

3. Whenever possible, curb cuts for driveways should be avoided, and alleys should be used for access to a parking area or garage at the rear of the lot.

4. Patios should be kept as far to the rear of the property as possible, and preferably not in side yards at all.

5. Parking lots should not be built if demolition of existing historic buildings is required. Parking lots should be screened with plantings rather than masonry walls to conceal them and lessen their visual impact.