Need ideas to fix disaster in backyard and how to add drainage.

Decide where your going to put the patio, use that florescent paint for yard to mark area. Remove all grass by renting a machine at a local equipment rental shop that removes sod. Then spray with week killer.

Put down landscape fabric, then a layer of gravel and sand depending on ground level and type pavers. Then stake out area with string to ensure you get a nice square or rectangle. There are a million YouTube videos on laying pavers for a patio, walkway and firepit. If you going to do a concrete patio, get bids after you remove grass.

Mow lawn, and apply weed and feed until you have a nice lawn. I like to use a dandelion puller to remove those stubborn things. Fill with dirt mixed with grass seed any plugs where dandelion was remove. You can use Weed b Gone also to spray periodically on areas coming back.

If your not using that dog run?, remove the cyclone fence or relocate to a area further from house.

If you put the patio where the dog run is.... consider having a door put in to access the house easily or at least a window with a pass through.

Maybe add an additional shed with large enough doors to drive those mowers in, and barbeques in winter and organize your lawn care items.

Might want to add lightening via string lights on poles. or do solar lights surrounding the patio and walk.

A fire pit is always nice surrounded by chairs or benches.

It was hard to concentrate on the thought process having to tilt my head sideways due to the photos not being flipped.

To address flooding put in a French drain to get water out of yard. Elevate walkways and patios with compacted crushed gravel under pavers.

Throw down compost and grass seed in bare spots.

Just cleaning up junk would a big improvement. 😆 It seems like that's all I do at my place.

Might want to try porous cement block. You can plant groundcover in the block. Better for runoff and good for the environment.

Thanks