Hi, I'm between picking 3 different kinds of rocks. We decided against sand as it tends to get in every nook and cranny. I'm leaning towards the smallest rock (option 3), since it's closest to sand and probably feels the best under bare feet. Thoughts? I'm also worried about the small rock running down into the berm I've built in the pond and constantly having to shovel the rock back up. The top part of the beach is flat, but going into the water is pretty steep. Also, the water needs to come up to the grass line, We just haven't finished filling it yet, until we put down the geotextile underlay

See the options/pictures attached

I'd go smallest available. Any slope greater than 4:1 you might have issues with them migrating to deeper water.

I would get some large (grapefruit) sized rock and put them at the deep end (form a wall) to keep the other rock back. Then put bigger size rock next to wall (2-3 feet), then finish (most of area) with small rock.

Thanks, I should have mentioned, I'm putting a cinder block wall all along the edge just before it drops into the deep end. That should help keep them from dropping into the abyss and I can move them back up every so often, if needed.

Walk on samples of each barefoot. I think your feet will decide for you.

Thanks, that's pretty much what we're doing. So far the smallest rock feels the best

My one concern would be your cinder blocks have some pretty painful abrasive corners to step on underwater obviously unable to see where you are stepping and with bare feet.

Maybe you can find some pavers with rounded edges that can function the same as the blocks.

Laying down thick geotextile fabric over the cinder blocks and under where the small rocks will go might mitigate the roughness of the blocks and stop the small stuff from disappearing into the dirt on the bottom of the pond.

I’d haul in some clay and lessen the slope and then go with the smaller gravel.