On the water front
Table Spreads for every occasion
Photography by: Joe Saba
Compiled by: Jen Huber
What could be better on a hot summer day than plunging into the cool water of your own backyard pool? Or how about lounging outside, enjoying the company of friends and good food as a waterfall cascades gently nearb
As more people dive into outdoor living, having a home water feature as part of your landscape is becoming one of the hottest trends around the nation. Whether it is a small pond for fish and plants, a free-standing fountain to mask road noises or an in-ground pool for swimming, people have discovered the calming and relaxing effect that water can hav
Small ponds and water features can be installed easily by the do-it-yourselfer, but for bigger projects or for those who just don’t want the hassle, Cool Ponds on Indianapolis’ southside is happy to help. From small systems to a 175-foot recirculating creek, Cool Ponds can build a water feature to suit every desir
“The latest trend is to install a pond-less waterfall system, which gives you the waterfall and the sound without having to worry about fish or plants,” explains Steve Wicker, who owns Cool Ponds with his wife, Staci. “The maintenance is very simple, too,” he explains. “If algae starts to build up on the rocks, you just unplug it for a while. That’s it."
Cool Ponds will do the entire installation, bringing in the rocks and getting everything running, leaving only the planting of surrounding flowers or grasses to the customer. Plus, it stocks hundreds of water plants for customers. Most of the time, waterfalls are just 14 to 22 inches tall. “Any taller than that and they start to get too loud, believe it or not,” Wicker says.
For those who want something larger, creating a pond is simple and easy to maintain. “People are often concerned about having a large body of water in their yard,” Wicker says, “but they are really beneficial to the environment and even reduce the amount of mowing in your yard, too.”
Ponds can attract birds, ducks, frogs and dragonflies, all of which help to eliminate mosquitoes and other insects. Ponds capture rainwater, keeping it from going into the storm sewer or simply going to waste. “It even helps the grandkids to come back and visit if they like to check out the pond,” adds Wicker, with a laugh.
When installing a pond, Cool Ponds uses a single piece of plastic liner and can design the pond to be any shape or size. “Larger ponds are actually easier to maintain,” says Wicker, “because it’s easier to establish a balanced ecosystem in them. I really like having a large pond because it’s got the total package. Fish are cruising around, bullfrogs are croaking, plants are growing, and it’s just awesome.”
Maintenance also is fairly simple, usually consisting of adding beneficial bacteria to control string algae and cleaning out sludge and leaves once a year. Ponds can hold dozens of fish, ranging from colorful koi who eat the algae to large goldfish. Many people also choose to add lights around the pond and in the water in addition to fountains, bird feeders and sculptures that spray water.
“Having someone tell us that a pond looks completely natural is the best compliment we can get,” Wicker says. “I owe a lot of credit to my wife for getting our business started. Much of this is her vision, and we just make it come together.”
For those who want to create something on their own, Cool Ponds offers several classes on pond maintenance, aquatic plants, harvesting rainwater and building a pond or a waterfall. “When we opened in 2004,” Wicker says, “we wanted education to be our focus. So many people don’t have a local resource to turn to, and we are happy to help. That part has been really great.”
Waterfalls aren’t just for the pond or the ground anymore. Now they are part of swimming pools and spas as well. At Bradbury’s Waterin’ Hole in Columbus, homeowners can create the pool of their dreams and work with landscapers to make their backyard a private oasis.
“In-ground pools have come a long way with all the different water features that can be added,” explains Joe Hemmelgarn, Bradbury’s store manager. “If you wanted to create a waterfall in the past, you had to build it out of rocks and stones and then figure out how the water would fall. It was a science. But now you’re seeing high-quality water features made out of plastics that are easy to install.”
Vic Koons decided to create his own waterfall and discovered that it was well worth the effort. At his Center Grove home, Koons has a custom pool with three waterfalls that he had built, plus a separate waterfall that he built on his own that is about 30 feet long, 8 feet tall and about 20 feet wide.
“It’s a focal point of my backyard,” he says. “It turned out really well, and I love everything about it. You can even see the skyline of Indy from the backyard, making for a spectacular view.”
Koons had his pool built five years ago when he built the house. He incorporated more than a dozen 1,000-pound rocks that were dug up from his yard, and he has added palm trees that were shipped from Florida.
“I spent a lot of time online and out in California, Arizona and Florida looking at pools and getting ideas for the design,” he says. “I have a Mediterranean-style house, so I wanted the pool and yard to flow with that design. I believe I achieved that.”
Lights in the waterfalls and pool mean that night turns to day in his yard. The sound of the waterfall, which he can hear in bed at night, is one of his favorite features.
“Waterfalls just fascinate me,” Koons says. “If you do a little research on your own and get some advice, it’s not that hard of a job to create your own waterfall. It’s labor-intensive but worth the effort.”
People who already own pools are adding features such as waterfalls and shooting fountains without having to spend lots of money.
“There is much more interest in water features because now the average family can have a nice waterfall or fountain without having to break the bank,” he says.
Homeowners can work with Bradbury’s to create any shape of pool with any kind of feature, including water slides or diving boards. Some pools feature a negative-edge waterfall, where the water glides over the edge of the pool to a three- or four-foot drop, making it look like there is no end to the pool. “Those really can have a dramatic effect,” Hemmelgarn says.
More people also are incorporating lights in and around the pool. Floating lights, solar lights and perimeter lighting can mean that the pool doesn’t close after dark. Many lights are LED and multicolored and can be controlled via remote or a switch inside the house.
“We’ll be seeing more and more features like this as technology advances,” says Hemmelgarn. “You can control all that from your easy chair as you sit and change the lights on your pool or spa.”
Hot tubs also have been growing in popularity and can be installed in days, as opposed to the two to three months needed to build an in-ground pool. Hot tubs also come with bells and whistles. Waterfalls, lights, aromatherapy, satellite radio and even LCD TVs in a hot tub all are more common now.
“In the hot tub world, they are trying to get away from just a box of water in the backyard,” says Hemmelgarn. “We want to make it look more aesthetically pleasing all the way around.”
A 7- to 8-foot-square model can easily accommodate five or six adults, making the hot tub a good choice for families as well. Hot tubs also are more energy efficient than they used to be, and maintenance is easy if a schedule is followed.
“It takes a bit of education to learn how to maintain a pool or spa,” says Hemmelgarn, “but you get into a routine and the water gets into a routine, and it’s not difficult to maintain.”
The latest trend in installing a hot tub is to surround it with natural stone and use more landscaping to integrate it into the design of the backyard. Some choose to build a fireplace or barbecue nearby, and others cover the spa with a gazebo. “Whatever you’re looking for to create your perfect backyard experience,” says Hemmelgarn, “we can make it happen.”
Upcoming classes (more information about each class is available online) June 12: Rain Water Harvesting June 19: How to Build a Pond June 26: How to Build a Pond-Free Waterfall Aug. 21: Disappearing Fountain Building Sept. 18: Wild Bird Feeding and Certifying Your Yard as a Wildlife Habitat Sept. 25: Netting Your Pond Oct. 9: Fall Maintenance and Winterizing Your Water Feature Important dates: Central Indiana's largest water feature tour: Saturday and Sunday, July 10-11. Tickets are $10 and are available at Cool Ponds. More information at coolponds.net. Self-guided: over 40 features in north Indy, south Indy, Greenwood, Carmel, Zionsville, Noblesville and Fishers Get your feet wet Bradbury's Waterin' Hole 2801 Central Ave. Columbus, IN 47201 812-372-1324 www.bradburys.com Cool Ponds 901 East Hanna Ave. Indianapolis, IN 46227 317-786-3670 www.coolponds.net
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, Indianapolis Zoo - August 5
“Greg Foresman”
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“A Fish Called Wanda”
6 p.m., Indianapolis Museum of Art - August 7
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7 and 9 p.m., Mallow Run Winery - August 7
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8 p.m., Indiana State Fairgrounds - August 8
“Alice in Wonderland Junior”
Times Vary, Buck Creek Players - August 8
“Buckcreek Players presents “Alice in Wonderland Junior"”
, Buck Creek Players - August 8
“Gen Con Indy”
, Indiana Convention Center - August 8
“Janet Hansen Fund Wine Country Road Rally”
, South central parts of Indiana’s wine country - August 12
“Animals and All That Jazz ”
, Indianapolis Zoo - August 12
“Justin Bieber ”
7 p.m., Conseco Fieldhouse - August 13
“Stand By Me”
6 p.m., Indianapolis Museum of Art - August 14
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“Drum Corps International World Championships”
, Lucas Oil Stadium - August 14
“Green-Stock Music Festival”
, Valley Branch Retreat and Paintball Valley - August 14
“Eight Days a Week”
7 p.m., Greenwood Amphitheater - August 14
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6 p.m., Mill Race Park, Columbus - August 15
“Greater Greenwood Community Band”
7 p.m., Surina Square Amphitheatre - August 15
“Devour Downtown”
, Downtown Indianapolis - August 19
“Animals and All That Jazz ”
, Indianapolis Zoo - August 20
“L.A. Confidential”
6 p.m., Indianapolis Museum of Art - August 20
“Sugarland”
, Indiana State Fairgrounds - August 21
“16th annual Car Show and Swap Meet”
9 a.m., Johnson County Park - August 21
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, Craig Park - Greenwood - August 22
“Indiana State Fair”
, Indiana State Fairgrounds - August 27
“O Brother, Where Art Thou?”
6 p.m., Indianapolis Museum of Art - August 27
“The Woomblies”
5 p.m., Downtown Franklin - August 28
“Oklahoma”
2 and 7:30 p.m., Historic Artcraft Theatre - August 28
“Bean Blossom Blues, Brews & BBQ”
, Bill Monroe Memorial Music Park and Campground - August 28
“Guys That Rock ”
7 p.m., Greenwood Amphitheater - August 28
“Columbus ArtFest”
10 a.m. to 5 p.m., Downtown Columbus - September 2
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5:30 p.m., Downtown Columbus - September 6
“15th Rib America Festival”
, Military Park - September 11
“Gone With The Wind”
2 and 7:30 p.m., Historic Artcraft Theatre - September 11
“Eighth annual Bean Blossom BikerFest”
, Bill Monroe Memorial Music Park and Campground - September 11
“Penrod ”
9 a.m. to 5 p.m., Indianapolis Museum of Art - September 12
“Greater Greenwood Community Band”
7 p.m., Surina Square Amphitheatre - September 12
“Rock Stars, Cars, & Guitars”
, Indianapolis Children's Museum - September 12
“25th annual Heartnut Heritage Festival”
, Johnson County Park - September 12
“2010 Quest for the West exhibition”
, Eiteljorg Museum - September 12
“38th annual Cider Run Custom Car Show”
8 a.m. to 3 p.m., Brown County State Park - September 12
“Columbus’ annual Scottish Festival ”
, Bartholomew County Fairgrounds - September 18
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, Hope, Ind. - September 18
“Hot Rods & Rock ‘n’ Roll”
, Downtown Columbus - September 19
“15th annual Indy Irish Fest”
, Military Park - September 25
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4 p.m., Mallow Run Winery - September 26
“B-Movie Celebration”
2 and 7:30 p.m., Historic Artcraft Theatre - September 26
“43rd annual Hope Heritage Days”
, Hope, Ind. - October 2
“2010 Greenways of Greenwood 5K”
9 a.m., Downtown Greenwood - October 3
“Brown County Hills Challenge Bike Ride”
, Brown County State Park - October 10
“Indiana Junior Rodeo”
, Hoosier Horse Park - October 15
“5K walk/run and 1-mile family fun walk”
5 p.m., Franklin Cultural Arts and Recreation Center - October 15
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5 p.m., Franklin Cultural Arts and Recreation Center - October 16
“Greater Greenwood Community Band ”
7 p.m., Greenwood H.S. Auditorium - October 17
“Indy Wine Trail Wineries - Chili & Wine”
, Indy Wine Trail - December 11
“Greater Greenwood Community Band ”
7 p.m., Greenwood H.S. Auditorium
