Dreaming of a Sports-friendly Yard For Your Kids?

 

When creating a sports-friendly backyard for your family, it’s important to design your yard to meet your needs to incorporate spaces that are dedicated to your favorite sports and hobbies. While swimming pools have been the traditional focus for backyard sport, homeowners with active families can look to add tennis courts, putting greens, horseshoe pits or any other type of court or field used for sports.

Of course, depending upon what else you would like to include in your backyard landscape, you will also likely want to leave room for outdoor entertaining or relaxing such as a built-in barbeque or outdoor kitchen. All these ideas can be incorporated with flower beds, walkways, lawn areas or even a fountain. 

One idea has been to create a space that can do double duty by meeting more than one of your family’s needs. An example would be the use of a section of artificial grass that can be used as a play space for the kids, that can quickly be converted into a badminton or volleyball court when friends show up wanting to play a game.

The primary focus of your yard should always be function, but when creating courts, play spaces or fields keep in mind the visual appeal and safety of the area. There are some things to keep in mind before diving into creating your backyard court.

Do you have enough space?

If you have a large yard with plenty of room for a full basketball court you’re probably OK, but if space is a premium you may need to consider designing a space with a multi-use concept. Think in terms of having combined uses such as a basketball half-court that could be converted into a tennis or badminton court.

As your family grows, allow your design to grow.

While the kids are young, playground equipment is a definite go-to, but as they grow into teenagers make sure the area can adapt to their growing interests. When designing a sports or play space take into consideration how you will be transforming over the years to continue to meet the changing interests of your family. Using removable court surfaces, or courts that can be used for several purposes work well here. Also, artificial grass can serve several purposes and work as fields for different sports.

Permanent or portable surfaces?

While portable games and surfaces are typically less expensive, permanent structures are usually more attractive and typically safer. The portable options are easier to store and change out as well, such as a portable putting green that can be used outside during the summer, but can be used for keeping your putting stroke in tune until the spring allows it to be back outside.

Make sure groundcover is safe.

Slips are sure to occur when roughhousing kids or competitive adults are playing games in the backyard. While you can’t completely avoid having family members getting a few bumps and bruises, you can be sure the playing surfaces are safer by opting for synthetic grass or courts that are designed for backyard use.

Can the area transform?

All too often the summer heat and droughts will have you thinking about converting your natural grass with something more earth friendly, so this area may be a good fit for your synthetic turf putting green or sports court. How better to keep your putter from feeling neglected during a hot summer spell?

Also, your patio may need some updating, but may still be in good enough shape to convert to a court or putting green. Be sure to keep in mind your landscaping tastes and what plants and foliage you want to enhance your area.