Sandy Situation
Knapp Valley Gardens recently ventured out to Twin Lakes near Lake Michigan in Muskegon County to tackle a backyard landscape dilemma. The lakefront homeowner was having trouble with wind-blown sand coming up into the yard from the beach. Sand was getting all over in the grass, and it was hard to keep up with sweeping it off the pathway to the house and the paver pads on either side. Knapp Valley found a stylish solution to this sand trap situation.
Stylish Solution
Our sand trap solution was to create a barrier to keep all that sand where it belonged – on the beach. We constructed an 18-inch high divider wall between the beachfront and the yard to help slow the winds of change from blowing the beach sand into the other outdoor areas. We used Unilock wall block topped with a Belgard cap for a functional barrier that adds style and seating to the yard or beach. The clients report the wall has been working well to the keep the upper yard sand-free this summer.
Putting Green is Par for the Course
Once the major problem was solved, our homeowners turned their attention to upping the “fun level” at their lakefront home. If our clients can dream it, we can do it – and turning a sand trap into a putting green is par for the course at Knapp Valley Gardens!
The putting green area is separated down the middle by a central walkway to the back of the home. The walkway and the two other patio pads were left untouched. The putting green was created along with our artificial turf partners, Purchase Green. It features slight elevation changes, fringe grass, and four putting cups.
Now, an area that used to literally be a sand trap is reformed and repurposed into a putting green. And the sand trap is where it’s supposed to be – on the beach.
If you are interested in a putting green of your own, or have an idea for another design that may be considered “on the fringe,” just call Knapp Valley Gardens or request an online quote, and you could be teeing up a new outdoor living space yet this fall.
