Last year at this time, we were beginning construction on a massive grotto, waterfall and rain curtain in Palos Park, Illinois. While the winter started out mild, we work in the Chicago area. We knew what was coming. Some might shake their heads at starting such an ambitious build late in the season but at […]
Building a Waterfall Grotto in Winter Read More »
The process of building grottos and vertical waterfalls is nerve wracking, coming with an increase in liability for your client and danger for your crew. It’s the farthest thing from straightforward or simple. So, why do I like building them? I like a challenge, and the results can be absolutely breathtaking. In front of our
Vertical Waterfalls & Grottos Add Height & Depth Read More »
I’ve been building ponds commercially since 2000 and this is a first time request: a grotto feature. This request came as a surprise as Texas Ponds and Water Features started talking about a backyard recreational pond early last year and we had a pretty good idea of the features wanted. The client wanted a wetlands filter. No
Special Request Includes Grotto for this Backyard Recreation Pond Read More »
Every so often, an issue of POND Trade comes together with such synergy that it reminds meexactly why I fell in love with this industry — and the November / December 2025 issue is a perfect example. Across every story — from monumental pond builds to quiet moments of aquatic artistry— the common thread is
November / December 2025 Read More »
When the client first approached us, they had one dream: a recreational pond that felt less like a pool and more like a living, breathing aquatic retreat. Not just water in the backyard, but an experience: A backyard oasis like no other. They wanted a place to relax, recharge, and share a lifestyle built around
Vegas East: A Backyard Oasis Like No Other Read More »
Finding connection, purpose and peace Some things in life you can plan for. Others, you can’t. When I started building water features, I thought I was simply creating beautiful landscapes. I didn’t fully understand at the time that I was creating connection between families, between people and nature, and between the past and present. Over
The Healing Power of Water Read More »
By Ana York Arntson and Craig McBride, Co-Founders of the Pond Professionals Alliance The Professional Pond Alliance’s powerful collaboration to build more than a pond In the world of water features, a pond is never just a pond. It’s a sanctuary for wildlife, a place of serenity, and often, the realization of a dream. But
United by Water: PPA Collaborative Pond Build Read More »
In any competition, it’s so very important to provide a level playing field for everybody involved. As we honor, recognize and showcase last pond season’s best of the best water-feature projects from around the globe, it’s refreshing to know that they were chosen anonymously. Winners are chosen without any corporate sponsorship or influence. That’s why
2024 Water Artisans of the Year Selected Read More »
By Demi Fortuna and Edwin Scott-Fortuna Our company, August Moon Designs recently complete a waterscape renovation in a historic rock garden at the Franklin Park Zoo. Franklin Park was first designed by Frederick Law Olmstead, creator of New York’s Central Park. Known as the jewel of the Emerald Necklace of parks encircling Boston, Olmstead would
Waterscape Renovation at Franklin Park Zoo Read More »
The pond community is alive and well I’ve had the privilege of being on several pond-related business trips as of late. First, I went to the Bedrock memorial build prior to the Water Garden Expo in Oklahoma. Then a few weeks later, I flew out to Las Vegas to attend the first-ever All-American Koi Show.