Written by: Lyla Haggard/Photos by: Johan Roetz, except where noted
With a growing family of three boys, ages seven to one year, Travis and Amy decidedly needed to maximize the outdoor space for their children. Their Beach Park home was adequate for their needs, but the surrounding yard had received little attention prior to their purchase of the residence a few years ago. On a quiet street, the wide double lot front yard—ideal for kids—was one of the main reasons Travis and Amy bought the home, but the plants and sodding needed help.
They enlisted the expertise of Ameriscape Services, Inc., a respected Tampa landscaping company, to renovate their yard. “Ameriscape specializes in custom landscape design,” states Justin Parker, Director of Construction/Landscape Architecture. “We listen and then deliver exactly what the homeowner wants. If needed, we also bring recommendations and new ideas to them as well.”
Parker focused on mixing textures, re-sodding the entire space with Zoysia grass and emphasizing coleus plantings. A new irrigation system was installed both front and back. Travis enjoys teaching his boys various sports. So, alongside the house, Ameriscape installed a customized batting cage with artificial turf so he could give his kids an early start in baseball.
Amy knew what she wanted in the pool area, and Parker was glad to oblige. Ameriscape produced 30×30-inch custom-poured concrete pavers separated by artificial turf for ease of care. Parker also installed new coping around the edge of the existing pool and colored it and the pavers to match the house. A sunken fire pit with seating is perfect for an appetizer or dessert conversation area. Another challenge faced when building this particular hardscape, which is 18 inches below grade, was the installation beneath the pit of an under-drain system with a pump to remove rainwater and carry it to the front yard to supplement the irrigation system.