This family came to us with a steep, underused backyard slope and a simple goal: a yard their three young boys could actually play in — without a trip to the park. We designed and built a two-tier curved retaining wall system to reclaim the slope, creating a level upper yard for planting beds and a generous lower lawn for the kids' fort, slide, and swing set.
A matching curved stone staircase ties the two levels together, finished with flagstone treads and flanked by low garden walls. Boxwood hedging and seasonal planting soften the wall tops, while wall-mounted lantern lighting extends use of the space into the evening. The result is a backyard that works as hard as it looks good — the parents get a patio to relax on with a glass of wine, and the boys get a yard-sized playground right outside the back door.
"This family wanted a backyard where their three boys could really play. We built the walls, stairs, and a full play area for the fort, slide, and swing — now the parents can sit outside enjoying a glass of wine while the boys play, without ever leaving the yard."
Victoria Landscaping Ltd.
Project Details
Location:
Vancouver Island, BC
Timeline:
1 week
Scope:
Curved two-tier segmental retaining walls to convert a steep slope into usable, level yard space
Matching curved stone staircase connecting the upper and lower yard levels
Full sod lawn installation
Planting beds with boxwood hedging and seasonal colour along the wall tops
Site grading and space allocation for a play structure (fort, slide, swing set)
Landscape lighting (wall-mounted lanterns) along the stairs and walls
