This past summer, my household - Ryan, Jessica, Lucie (me, 15), Cassidy (6), Max (3), and Charlie (10 months) - decided we wanted an upgrade for the young ones in our backyard: a full-sized, built-in playground, complete with pea gravel and a retaining wall.

For three weeks in July, contractor Kirk Thieman took on this project. My parents chose Kirk because he had completed a similar project at their last house that they were very satisfied with. 

Their reason for the project? “We wanted a spot where our whole family could hang out all day, every single day and not get bored. Also, as the littles grow up, this area can be an awesome play space for them and their friends.” 

Choosing what to put under the playground was a big decision. Should we keep the grass, or put in mulch or pea gravel to make it like an actual playground? In the end, my parents chose pea gravel because “it is just as much fun to play in as the actual playground.” They don’t regret it at all and wouldn’t change anything if they did it again. 

My mom, Jessica Neumann, says it was “completely worth it, because now our kids spend hours outside every day.”

Looking to the future, my family plans to add more patio furniture and possibly a pergola, for a complete outdoor experience.