Northshore Living: Right in Your Own Backyard 
Remember the days when special backyard play equipment meant a badminton net or croquet mallets? Don’t throw away those old standards, but look at what’s happening with backyard fun today.
Allison and Shannon Marks brought golf right to their back door, literally, with a professionally installed putting green. Comprised of synthetic nylon turf over a concrete foundation, this putting green never needs mowing, provides hours of skill-building fun and enhances the beauty of the entire yard.
Comments Shannon, “We got it after seeing one at the Rases on the Tchefuncta Country Club Pool Tour. They’re really neat when we have parties. At some point, the guys will end up on the putting green.” Meant for more than just company, the green gives Shannon and 6-year-old son Alvin a chance to practice their putts. Not to be outdone, Allison and daughters Caroline and Molly take turns, too.
Putting greens come in all shapes and sizes from single- to multi-hole greens. The Marks green has four holes and measures about 25 feet by 13 feet. According to Brian TerHaar, owner of Sport Court, one of the area’s largest installers of synthetic playing surfaces, an additional option is to have longer “lush grass” around the green. This helps when practicing chip shots.
For those who favor net or ball games, there are game courts. These multi-functional synthetic courts can be used for a variety of ball and racquet games including basketball, volleyball, tennis and, of course, the ever-popular badminton. TerHaar finds that one of the greatest advantages to owning a game court is that it keeps the kids at home and promotes family togetherness.
Not only are the courts attractive—they are also easy on the joints. Because of their construction, they offer “lateral forgiveness”—in other words, they reduce joint and ligament damage that often comes with playing sports that require rapid and repeated shifts in weight. The specially constructed surface also provides solid traction and a reduction in abrasiveness. Roller hockey, a fast-growing sport across the nation, uses similar surfaces for hockey rinks, reducing the risk of injury to players.
Not into contact sports? Consider installing an endless or swim-jet pool. Markey Stevenson, of Pool and Patio in Slidell, notes that with these pools, the swimmer actually swims into a current produced by pumps. Measuring an average 11-17 feet by 4 feet by 39-48 inches deep, they are a perfect option for athletically driven swimmers with limited yard space. They are obviously great for exercise and offer a cardiovascular workout not found with recreational swimming. These pools can be modified to include a spa on one end plus heaters for cold-weather swimming.
John Constantino, of Clearwater Pools, states that swim-jet pools can benefit nearly everyone. “We installed one for a man in his 40s who suffers from arthritis and needs exercise.” On the other end of the spectrum, he installed a swim-jet pool for a tri-athlete in training.
“Play pools” are a fun new trend, according to Specialty Pools landscape architect Drew Biehler. Only 3 to 5 feet deep, they’re great for the “kid” in all of us. Such pools are not only fun, they afford an excellent opportunity for exercising. For those with physical impairments who have exercise restrictions, the buoyancy of water keeps joints from bearing weight. Other options for those who like the positive effects of being in water but have space limitations are spa tubs, swim-jet pools and lap pools. With 36-inch-deep spa tubs, exercise is easy—and the water can be heated, adding an extra benefit to arthritic joints.
Lap pools are another aquatic option. These narrow pools are usually designed to accommodate one swimmer and are similar in dimensions to endless or swim-jet pools. The main difference is there is no current to swim against in these pools. Ella Caffery, now of Christwood, boasts of the advantages of the lap pool at her home in Lacombe. “Our pool was wide enough to accommodate two swimmers. My husband Taylor and I swam together every day, weather permitting.” Serious about fitness, Ella comments, “You get in a lap pool to swim, not to play.” She also found walking in the lap pool great for strengthening her legs.
Whether it’s on the ground or in the water, if you’d like to bring your favorite activity home, now’s the time to start investigating and planning. With warmer weather just around the corner, a whole new level of fun awaits—right in your own backyard.
– Karen Gibbs
