To help with the drainage, I hope

I took on a pretty big project last week.  We have a general problem with drainage in the back yard when there is a big storm.  It usually results in ponding at the patio and in front of it.  I thought that it might help if I put in a drain tile that led from this area, sloped back to the alley.  I started digging and was immediately confronted with my old nemesis.  I totally forgot that the PO completely covered the back yard in layers of landscape fabric.   

After a lot of pulling, I was able to dig.  After about an hour, I found another "obstacle".  I am not positive but I am pretty sure there are about 50 bags of dog feces buried in the back.  I have found some weird shit at this place (no pun intended) but this takes the cake.  Was the PO afraid to throw it away?  I am not sure I get this one.  Then again, I don't even get the whole fabric under the lawn thing either.

After a couple hours, I got the trench dug and pitched properly.  The end of the trench is a couple inches below the  alley but I figure this isn't all that critical.  Any drainage I get out of this area is better than none.

Once I got the perforated tube in place, I ran a hose in it for a while and it seemed to work pretty well.  This area will become a walkway adjacent to the planter beds I intend on putting in.  I have this grand vision to have this area look more formal: a portager garden in raised beds, several large potted plants, pea gravel paths, etc.  Oh, I hope to finish the mosaic on this side too. 

Another funny discovery was the unique way that the PO achieved a pitch on the old walkway to the garage.  They actually had several layers of brick and cement paving blocks built up in the area.  I stopped digging after pulling up about 10 new blocks.  One more and I may start to have a dilemma with getting rid of them.   

I hope this little project, along with the other changes I am making in the yard help out with the flooding.  I guess time will tell.