pond build
spring 2002

Photos of the yard in Des Plaines IL from April 2002, which illustrate the initial inspiration for building a pond in the back yard.

pond spot april 2002	our two-year-old, kane, near the exit location of our sump. we tried several methods of removing the water from this area but when we found out about the existence of backyard ponds, we were sold!
pond spot april 2002	this is the selected pond area. it is directly in the path of our sump pump, which pumps water almost continuously all day every day during spring. obviously the pond was simply a fantasy at this point, an attractive alternative to a squishy, wet and mushy backyard.
pond spot april 2002	another view of the pond spot. we had just completed installation of the six foot fence, which was required by municipal regulation for the pond. we had also contracted a landscaper to come in march and remove three truck loads of scrub brush and shrubs from the yard. michael insisted on keeping the firepit until the bitter end.
pond spot april 2002	as an extra bonus for our web site visitors, here is a photo of our hideous "walkway" - it had been a raised bed until the fence guys came in a built the fence and ripped it up since 1/4 of it was on our neighbors property. that effort left this huge pile of impassable rubble on the side of our house. someday, it will become a walkway (do not hold your breath).

{ back to the pond build } | { summer 2002 pond build }