Sorry but I have no clue as to why this shape or material. What do you mean it was under water ? What you have now IMO is tripping hazard but I need a bit more info.

Looks like you tried to do a "fancy" design, but unfortunately it just looks odd and quite ugly.

I would have done a basic rectangular concrete pad with a stamped finish to make it a bit more attractive. Keep it simple and utilitarian!

I don't know where you're located but maybe look at mud control grid systems. They're often used in horse paddock gate areas because those area also get compressed and muddy.

It would solve the mud and wetness problem while eliminating the tripping hazard possibility.

If you want to leave the curb to solve the wetness problem, I'd remove the flagstone pieces and use them somewhere else.

How wonderful to back onto a park.

That is the weirdest thing I have seen in a while.

Agree with above comments; also consider adding a boot scraper off to the side if your shoes get muddy.

Once the grass grows up to the edges, it will be good and serve its purpose.

I agree what you’re thinking to have it ripped out and laid so flagstone is level. Looks higher on fence side.

Add a little dirt around the outside and let the grass cover the bottom edge of the concrete.

Thanks to those respondents who gave constructive opinions and comments.

The problem I was addressing was this area is at the bottom of a sloped hill in the park, that collects rainwater and turns from grass into mud. On an earlier Houzz posting, a pro had suggested a landing pad. I meant to update that post but couldn't find it. In any case, I found this image on the internet that I loved. My original rendition looked like the below photo with flagstone surrounded by bricks. With the next huge rainfall, the entire thing was underwater. I needed to RAISE the area, but still allow the gate to open). To raise the are I used crushed limestone, and I thought the curb laid by a company would contain the limestone.

Today I cut sod strips to lay around that cover the grass - curb perimeter, however, I cannot raise the inner flagstone any higher because the gate won't open.

In the diagram below I didn't necessarily want a flagstone path either.

I wonder if a massive pile of wood chips would be better? I can't imagine sod thriving in those conditions (if it tends to get very wet regularly and also trampled upon).

Did you add a swale to redirect the excess water?

Repost with your sod…that sounds like a plan. Also, grading it with mulch around the edges might be a thought, too. To cover the “cushion” appearance. I would plant roses or something on either side of the gate…. So people are looking at your plantings and at your lovely view…not the “landing pad!” Good luck!

Please do NOT put anything soft like wood chips and mulch in a wet area in an attempt to make it drier - it will break down quickly and make the situation worse. I have horses and have mud issues at the gate and the walk from gate to barn. I dumped several tons of gravel, which packs down and stabilized the area. You can leave the semicircular pavers and add rounded stones to the interior for an inexpensive fix.

Does it serve it's intended purpose? Does it stay dry and not flooded. It does provide a tripping hazard but if you can navigate passage thru the gate without tripping I would say leave it as is.

The wood chips were suggested only to raise the walking surface above the area that would be muddy. I would guess that a horse path and a private gate for human and dog passage would result in different wear and use patterns.

The tripping hazard over the curb is the greatest concern, the mud is secondary at this point. OP, if you ever have guests who use the gate, and that curb remains intact, make sure to post a sign on the gate to "Watch the curb!"

Wood chips will disintegrate quickly in a wet spot.

The outsude edge is NOT pavers, it is a poured concrete curb that was just poured days ago by a company that uses a machine called an edgemaster. in my opinion, the look if the curb is clunky and too high. so my dilemna was the cost yo have them pull it out, and then, what to use in its place as i need to kerp the crudhed limestone in. So for the pro’s like Norwood Architects (thank you) is the look horrible enough to pull out?

Previously i had invasive ornamental grasses on either side of the gate that I remived using a pickaxe and many hours of labour. i have sjnce bought non invasive blue oat grass and was hoping to plant on either side. not mych toom though with red bushes…

We had huge rain recently and it held up well. I will post an uodate with the sod - just done yesterday.

OMG apologies for the typos.

The outside edge is NOT pavers, it is a poured concrete curb that was just poured days ago by a company that uses a machine called an edgemaster. In my opinion, the look of the curb is clunky and too high. so my dilemna was the cost to have them pull it out, and then, what to use in its place as i need to keep the crushed limestone in? So for the pro’s like Norwood Architects (thank you) is the look horrible enough to pull out?

Previously i had invasive ornamental grasses on either side of the gate that I removed using a pickaxe and many hours of labour. i have since bought non invasive blue oat grass and was hoping to plant on either side. not much room though with red bushes…

We had huge rain recently and it held up well. I will post an uodate with the sod - just done yesterday.

OP, I think it’s fine. I see that you’ve raised the elevation of the pad so it is no longer under water after a good rain, and you can’t raise it any more or the gate won’t open. It’s functional for you and the pups, and looks much better than a mud hole would.