Lawns can wear out, even if good practice is followed, such as avoiding close mowing, and improving drainage and aeration by hollow tine aeration or spiking, followed by dressings of horticultural sand. Paths or stepping stones are one answer, but embedding rubber meshes and interlocking plastic or concrete blocks in the soil are another option.
Blocks
or grids can support vehicle wheeling and protect tree roots
from compaction, while meshes are adequate for pedestrian
wear. Meshes can work to the surface, and may be hard to remove.
Edges are especially vulnerable, unless reinforced with timber
or metal edging. Grass grows in soil between the grids and
meshes with a lawn-like appearance, disguising the reinforcements.
Although mowing and feeding reinforced turf is possible, other practices are not, so drainage soil structure and aeration must be remedied beforehand.
Get reinforcement materials from builders merchants or a widely available supplier such as Netlon.