Chris i dont know much but I think I would split the circle into 3 parts.
Put down sand,rock and pea gravel.
Rock and gravel I would think are no brainers.
The reason for the sand is that years ago when the lasy-j pen was up and
running a lot of dogs would come over from the hills and rocks of Arkansas and the sand would blister their pads around the outside and the could hardly walk.
I think a 3 part combo would be good.