Question
Hello,
I have an area, triangular in shape in the front of my house. It measures about 17ft x 20ft x a 28ft curve. It is bordered on 1 side by a curved walkway leading from the driveway to the front door, on another side by the front porch(a concrete slab, and bordered on the 3rd side by the outside wall of my garage. And lastly has one downspout that drains water into it.
It is a small ranch home with the garage extending out from the front.
I live outside of Atlanta, so we do not get too much rainfall at a time. So I am wanting to know that within this area, which is a planting area, what would be the best way to deal with the downspout water? I have searched and searched and only come across the idea of a drywell/french drain combination that would distribute the runoff water throughout the planter area.
I do not want downspout extentions, because anything of that nature would have to cross over the curved walkway.
Would this be suitable, and if so, what specs would let it function properly?
I planned on making a 2ft cubed hole beneath the downspout, extend a trench that follows the curved profile of the walkway, fill it with gravel, and top it off with decorative stone.
Sorry for the long type, but I wanted to fully explain my situation.
Thank you in advance for your time.

Answer
Your solution sounds like it might work.  I'd add a weed barrier/landscape fabric, so the trench & gravel that you are going spend a lot of time & energy constructing doesn't get clogged up with dirt particles or thirsty roots, and end up not functioning in a few years.

The idea is to make a gravel "hot-dog", rather than a single, square hole with rocks.  If nothing else, the rock will stop the erosion from constant roof-drain spashing, and washing your planter's soil away.

The best solution might have been to install subdrains before the walk was put in (which can still be added now - but will cost more money).  Oh, well.  Gotta work with what you've got.

French Drain pictures of other homeowners in your situation:  
http://www.flickr.com/photos/celerityfm/8861651/
http://www.flickr.com/photos/fupu/435681011/

(Note that both examples used weed fabric)  

IF at all possible, I'd suggest adding a bit of flexible, perforated pipe (NDS or similar) to help the water migrate in the direction you want...Downhill and away from your home.

Good luck!- ~M