A child-friendly backyard in Birkenhead

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Zones helped this Birkenhead family achieve a low-maintenance backyard

Before After
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The original design of this Birkenhead backyard meant that it wasn’t the most user-friendly space for children. The planting arrangement crowded the area and the house design didn’t provide any direct access to the backyard space. When homeowner Sian decided it was time for an update, Zones was the obvious choice.

Sian’s local Zones landscaping specialists, Tracey and Glen Barker, were able to bring a range of experience to the project. Both keen gardeners, the pair have managed a variety of landscaping projects - from intricately designed poolside social areas through to large-scale community gardens.

“(I was attracted to) their credibility and experience in a wide variety of projects”, tells Sian. “The area being landscaped was particularly challenging, given the gradient and slope. (I wanted) to create another outdoor space for our home where our child and dog could play (and) I needed a team that I trusted and knew could do the job.” 

Developing backyard landscaping ideas

Tracey and Glen were able to provide practical advice and inspiration for the project, following an initial consultation, where Sian presented her ideas.

“Sian had pictures from magazines that she liked, and wanted us to copy these”, explains Tracey. “She wanted to utilise every little space and make it functional, including the under-deck storage.”

With clear specifications in place, Tracey and her team were able to provide Sian with a cost estimate and timeframe. From there, the transformation began.

“(I was attracted to) their credibility and experience in a wide variety of projects"
- Sian, Zones Customer

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Hardscaping and softscaping

“The family wanted to access their backyard from an existing deck and make it child-friendly so their kids had an additional area to play”, confirms Tracey. “The project involved building steps from the existing deck to a newly developed area with artificial turf and paving. Excavation and landfill were required to make the area flat and usable. We also built a gate and filled in under the existing deck to create storage space.”

The final result

Sian says working with Tracey and the team made the process enjoyable.

“I loved working with Tracey and her team. The area they were transforming was a mud hole and I was a little nervous about how it would turn out. Tracey and the builders were responsive and kept me updated on progress throughout the project.” 

 

“I loved working with Tracey and her team. The area they were transforming was a mud hole and I was a little nervous about how it would turn out. Tracey and the builders were responsive and kept me updated on progress throughout the project."
- Sian, Zones Customer

Now complete, the area looks tidy and cohesive. A level artificial turf provides an open space for children to play while timber stairs provide easy access and match the updated retaining wall and under-deck storage area.

“When we first started out with the project, I couldn't visualise how the downstairs area would be transformed”, says Sian. “The result exceeded my expectations and I'm really happy with the team that created the lawn and stairs. Each day I had a bunch of questions and Jay (the builder) was able to answer them which put me at ease. I can't wait for summer to come so we can use the downstairs area again!”

 

Find out more

For more information on how the Zones team can assist you with your landscaping project, feel free to get in touch.

This project was completed in
November 2019
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Project description
Create a pet and child-friendly backyard
Location
North Shore
New Zealand
Client
Sian
Project duration
3 weeks
Cost estimate
Actual cost
43250
Challenges
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