yard
Trampoline. Trampolines are fun. They’re also a sneaky way to improve your coordination and balance and strengthen your core muscles. It’s easy to add a trampoline to your yard. You just need the room (some are very small) and a flat surface, ideally with some cushioning. Good choices include rubber mulch, wood chips and artificial turf. You can even install a trampoline that’s level with the ground. They are far less obtrusive, but you’ll need to include the same safety features as with an above-ground trampoline. Wherever your trampoline goes, a net is an important safety feature. You can bounce higher than you think, and the net protects you from flying off and hitting a hard surface, even if you’re at ground level. Anchor the trampoline to the ground whenever possible.
Kid-centered gymnastics training. Let your kids channel their inner Simone Biles with a play area that goes beyond the standard jungle gym. This cozy spot tucked into a long, narrow spot has plenty of activities, such as a climbing wall, swings, bars and a rope structure to scramble on. Synthetic turf provides a soft landing spot, although rubber mulch and play sand will also work. When the workout is done, the small walkway and the space beneath can become the deck of a pirate ship, a treehouse or a place for a nap or snack.
Sports pool. Minimize the endless repetition of Marco Polo with water versions of dry-land games. This pool includes a net for pool volleyball and a basket at one end for shooting hoops. Other options? Set a water polo net at each end of the pool, divide into teams and see who can score the most points. Or add a twist to a popular lawn game with inflatable cornhole bowls so you can test your tossing skills while you’re treading water. As with any swimming-related activity, safety comes first. Keep an eye on swimmers, especially if there are solid objects in the pool.
Bocce ball. Bocce, once known mainly for its popularity in Italian communities, has become a game for all. If you’ve become intrigued, adding a bocce ball court may be easier than you think. While an official bocce ball court should be 13 feet wide and 91 feet long, you can have just as much fun with one tailored to fit your yard. You can find courts that are as small as 6 feet wide and 22 feet long, although most backyard courts are about two-thirds the size of regulation play. The key to a good court is a flat, level surface, whether it’s made of concrete, crushed stone, sand or oyster shells. You don’t want anything to interfere with the trajectory of the balls. Adding a short, solid barrier of wood or concrete around the sides will keep things in check. Hang a tape measure nearby for checking the distance between balls so you can settle disputes.
rain garden
After: Designer Kathryn Prideaux took the yard from barren to inviting. The new pool is the centerpiece of the yard, which measures 29 feet by 9 feet. The owners use it for exercise as well as relaxing, thanks to the shallow shelf at one end that can hold lounge chairs and has a built-in hole to hold an an umbrella. A matching table and chair set reinforces the look. The pool wall sits 18 inches above the ground. It’s high enough to provide seating for guests, helps keep out leaves and draws attention to the pool itself, both inside and outside of the house. “Because the yard is so flat, it gives dimension and architecture to the space,” Prideaux says. The blue glass tile is almost a perfect match to the color of the water. Prideaux says the tile makes the pool look like “a cube of water.” Prideaux also replaced the aging wood with weathered steel panels. They blend in well with the adobe wall and are a better fit than wood for a desert climate and aesthetic.
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