I want to do a bordered lawn. The 'edging' would be a path that is about 24" wide or so all the way around the yard. Where the path edge meets the flower beds around the house (not the whole yard) I want to do a little raised 'wall' of sorts that is basically 3-4 bricks high. I can install the pathway part no problem- I know how to do that. The challenge is the stacked brick edging. I live in Zone 6 so I have to take the freeze-thaw thing into account. Here are some links of what I am going for in terms of looks.

http://columbiagreen.org/tour2003/garden9/Pages/5.shtml

http://columbiagreen.org/tour2003/garden12/Pages/4.shtml

The bricks need some attention in the second photo but you get the idea. I am concerned that water on the back of the little brick wall would cause too much absorption (because I'd have to use house brick instead of the pavers for the vertical rise with a paver course on top?) of water. I've seen a similar install in our area and I don't think the guy adequately planned for freeze-thaw and water drainage so it isn't holding up as well as it could.

Would I need to do a concrete footing for such a small wall? If so, would you just use a veneer brick on the vertical rise portion then the paver course on top? How deep would it need to go down to avoid freeze/thaw problems? I can do the brick part but the possible concrete part is intimidating.