By now I’m sure you have heard of natural pools, a.k.a. swim ponds, a.k.a. recreation ponds … you get the gist. Whether big or small, these features are a great addition to any outdoor living space. While we always like to say the bigger the better, that doesn’t always jive with the budget or, in this case, available space.
At C. E. Pontz Sons we have installed many recreation ponds mostly on a much larger scale, but in this case, that was not in the cards. This mini natural swimming pool was designed and installed with the homeowner’s young grandchildren in mind rather than themselves. One might even say it’s more of a natural “plunge” pool than a recreation pond.
Mini Natural Swimming Pool Design Details
This mini swim pond measures approximately 23 feet long by 13 feet wide with a 3-foot depth at its deepest point. This gives the grandchildren plenty of space to swim and explore underwater. while also providing the grandparents enough room to hop in and cool off or just sit back and relax while enjoying family time.
The natural ecosystem pond is outfitted with a wetland filtration system to provide optimum water quality and clarity. After all, it’s much easier to work with Mother Nature than against her. The wetland filter provides a small, stream-like flow into the pond, which helps with circulation as well. Because this was finished right before the harsh winter hit, we have yet to plant the wetland or the pond. Once spring arrives, this glorious feature will be all decked out with beautiful aquatic plants to help with filtration and aesthetics.
Other unique features in this mini recreation pond include a large. Natural-stone fish cave. This helps to protect the koi from would-be predators and gives the grandchildren additional places to explore. There are two stacked-slate urn fountains that provide beauty, aesthetics and tranquil sounds while adding circulation and aeration to help with water quality and clarity.
The pond then flows off a negative edge into gorgeous, natural-stone waterfalls before flowing into a 45-foot meandering stream with multiple waterfalls throughout. The stream ends with a waterfall that flows down into an underground water retention basin, which is powered by an external pond pump. There is a large, natural-stone bridge toward the end of the stream that gives access across the yard as well as a seating option to allow little ones’ feet to dangle in the flowing water.
Pondless Waterfall
A 12-foot pondless waterfall is also intertwined into this feature. The pondless waterfall adjacent to the main stream starts facing the house and then winds its way into the main stream. The purpose of the streams was to give the grandchildren additional places to ply, explore, and cool off during the warmer months.
The entire project also includes landscaping, natural-stone patios, walkways, steps and a fire pit all decked out with a color-changing underwater and landscape lighting system.
This epic water feature is sure to create years and years of memories for the grandparents and grandchildren alike.
Let’s get these children and even ourselves off our devices and back outside to play, relax and enjoy all that nature has to offer.
