by Ondine Brooks Kuraoka

Real estate prices in California mean that every square foot of property is precious. Without having to drive anywhere, our backyards give us a space where we can be active together and have fun creating memories at home. Whether your backyard is small or large, why not take a fresh look at how you can get maximum active enjoyment from your coveted slice of heaven?

More Play Time
Kids have always loved backyard play structures. Now there are enough options to boggle any parent’s mind. New designs combine the classic swing set with climbing features, sliding poles, bucket pulleys, slides and sky bridges to become the fort or castle of your child’s imagination. CedarWorks, located in Rockport, Maine, is on the cutting edge of playset innovation, with stunning designs to fit almost any yard size. Built from northern white cedar, their structures are naturally rot-resistant and require no chemical treatment. To assure sustainability, thousands of seedlings are donated annually through the company’s ReCedaring program. Also, the sets are sturdy enough for parents to join in the fun.

Home Turf
David McCullough, incoming president of the San Diego Chapter of American Society of Landscape Architects, finds that advances in artificial turf are enabling a more active use of backyard space. “People used to cringe at the thought of it, but current turf is so improved,” McCullough says. “It’s never wet and soggy like grass is, and you don’t have to mow it or water it. And it feels like soft carpet; you just want to lie down and roll around on it.” The turf is set in a bed of sand and gravel. The foundation of the turf is made from a layer of particleized rubber (made from recycled tennis shoes), which creates a spongy, comfortable surface. Rain absorbs right away.

Skating is Still Cool
For older kids, skateboard ramps can provide years of excitement. Why not learn a few moves alongside your kids to gain an appreciation for the challenge? Kids and adults alike should be sure to wear protective helmets, knee and elbow guards—and then get rolling! Freshpark, based in Emeryville, California, provides a variety of ramps and rails for use in the backyard in as little as 5 by 10 feet of space. Freshpark ramps are used in the top pro skater tours for X Games. “Skate ramps are great backyard entertainment,” says Kelly Murphy, vice president of marketing for Freshpark. “They’re weatherproof and portable. You can set them up for permanent use or fold them up and store them before your dinner party. They’re easy to assemble, too.”

Game Time
A sure hit for a wide age range is a backyard game court. Dale Hendrickson is a Connor Sport Court International distributor for Southern California and Las Vegas. Sport Court game possibilities include basketball, volleyball, badminton, paddle tennis, tetherball, hopscotch, four-square, bowling, chess, checkers, roller hockey and pickleball, to name a few. Courts require a minimum of 300 to 400 square feet. They have a 10-year warranty and a 20-year lifespan. Putting greens are also available.

“We developed a state-of-the-art cushioned surface—we now provide the official surface for NCAA Volleyball,” Hendrickson says. To customize the court, families can incorporate a logo of their favorite team or even the family crest with everyone’s names on it. Hendrickson points to the fact that backyard courts are all about “family, fitness and fun.” “You’d rather have your kids in your backyard with the neighborhood kids in a safe place where you can watch them,” Hendrickson says. “It gets them out of the house, away from video games, TV and text messaging. Everyone can develop skills, have fun and be active together.”

Think Outside the Box
McCullough assisted one client with the innovative idea of installing a trampoline directly into the lawn. “That way, no one has to crawl up onto it or worry about kids falling off,” McCullough says. “This makes it easier for young children to use, and encourages more use.” Another unique thing to consider is a water feature that goes beyond the standard decorative fountain. One of McCullough’s clients wanted their young children to be able to use their water feature for creative play. McCullough designed a long, narrow trough with water spilling in from wall fountains. The water is filtered and can be chlorinated. The trough with the flowing fountains provides a safe place for the younger kids to splash around.

Evolving Yards
A backyard space can evolve over time according to the active needs of your family. Use these ideas as springboards for your imagination. Other ideas might include building a secret hideaway, a sandbox update, a sunflower room or landscaping with boulders for climbing. With a little ingenuity you can enjoy your yard as an active part of every day.

Article Resources
cedarworks.com
asla-sandiego.org
freshpark.com
sportcourt.com
garden.org