Playground Xeriscape

The playground xeriscape is designed around maximizing play opportunities for children in a variety of settings. Here the focus is on providing multiple environments for discovery, learning, and fun. A wide variety of textures and colors are used in the landscape with natural obstacles used as an integral part of the play experience.

Located in a fenced backyard, this design starts at a patio and BBQ on the back of the home and incorporates a trike path linking other areas of the yard. The path loops behind and around stands of tall grasses such as Karl Forester's Feathered Reed Grass to entice children in games of 'hide and seek'.  In the lower right hand corner of the yard is a playhouse and room for storing toys. After the children have grown up, it can be converted into a garden shed. Next to the playhouse is a large sandbox.  The upper right corner of the yard is shaded with a canopy of Thornless Honeylocust trees. A stepping stone pathway winds through the area. The upper left corner of the yard contains a small play structure. This is placed in an area of fall zone engineered wood fiber for safety. 

A short slide takes kids out of the play area back into the grass. Boulders are placed throughout the yard for climbing opportunities and a half log bench is tucked off the path for quiet conversations. The drought tolerant fescue/bluegrass mix turf serves as an open play area.

Plants

A: Blue Oat Grass / Idaho Blue Fescue

B: Feathered Reed Grass, Maidenhair Grass

C: Lilacs (two types shown)

D: Scotch Pine, Ponderosa Pine

E: Rocky Mountain Juniper

F: Butterfly Bush

G: Potentilla

H: Juniper (Skyrocket or similar)

I: Kinnikinnick groundcover

J: Alpine Currant

K: Dwarf Mugo Pine

L: Mockorange

M: Bar Harbor Juniper

N: Golden Thornless Honeylocust

O: Green Ash