If you're here, chances are you already know what water does for you. Maybe you drink your coffee outside just to hear it. Maybe your yard is where your family gathers, or where you finally exhale after a long day.
That's exactly where this Wellesley family found themselves.
They had a pond that used to be the heart of their backyard—the place for coffee, meals, cookouts, and quiet moments. They also open their home to families facing cancer, and the sound of water had been a powerful part of their healing space.
But over time, their pond became a source of stress instead of comfort.
They were stuck between two choices you might relate to: "Do we fix this… or just give up and make it dry?"
What they knew is what you may know too: They needed the sound of water in their lives.
With six kids (the youngest finishing high school, two graduating college—both entering the medical profession—and moving back home), plus big extended families on both sides, this backyard wasn't just "nice to have." It was part of their family rhythm.
They had already checked us out and felt a connection when they saw we're a family business too. That mattered. They wanted a team they could trust with something emotional, not just technical.
We want it to feel like we're in Disney.
Before offering big solutions or big numbers, we started where we always do on projects like this: with an Exploratory Drain & Clean.
If you've ever wondered, "Are they just guessing, or do they really know what's going on under there?"—this step is why we don't guess.
Once we could see everything, the truth came out: tree roots had invaded the structure, filtration was too small for the pond and stream, and there were multiple leaks that would never stop being a problem.
This is the moment that can feel scary as a homeowner—when someone has to tell you, honestly, what's going on.
For this family, that honest answer was: A simple repair wouldn't protect their investment or their peace of mind. The pond needed to be rebuilt.
It wasn't easy to hear. So many memories were tied to that old pond. But they also knew they didn't want to keep pouring money and energy into something that would keep failing.
To give them a true "wow" moment every time they stepped outside, we added a dramatic centerpiece: A Fire & Water Stacked Slate Sphere placed inside the pond, combining moving water, warm flame, and gentle sound. This is the kind of feature you don't just look at—you feel it.
If you've ever thought, "If we're going to do this, let's do it right," that's what this next step was.
We removed the old pond completely and re-sculpted the earth to create a new ecosystem pond built for longevity, easier care, and a more natural, beautiful look.
Where the original stream once ran, we didn't just "fix" it—we gave it its own identity. We designed a separate fountainscape featuring two different-sized Stacked Slate Urns and a custom-cut 40" pouring bowl that sends a curtain of water into the basin. It added another layer of movement, sound, and visual interest—so no matter where you stand, sit, or look out the window, you see and hear water.
You know that feeling when the sun goes down and the right lighting makes everything feel special?
To bring that "Disney-like" magic to life, we installed over 12 LED lights throughout the pond, waterfalls, and fountainscape.
This is when the family told us, "Yes—this is what we imagined."
A project like this doesn't happen in an afternoon.
For this family, it took over 260 man-hours of work—removal, earthwork, liner and underlayment, rock placement, plumbing, lighting, and fine-tuning until the water, sound, and sightlines were just right.
But here's the part that may matter most to you: They didn't just want a beautiful pond. They wanted peace of mind.
So they chose ongoing professional maintenance, so they wouldn't have to worry if the water was healthy, wonder if the equipment was working properly, or dread the work every season.
Instead, they get to simply enjoy the space: for their kids, for their extended family, and for the families walking through cancer who sit by that pond to breathe for a moment.
If you're reading this and thinking:
…then this story is really about you, too.
You don't have to choose between giving up on water and living with a constant problem.
You can choose a third option: A water feature that's rebuilt the right way, designed around how you live, and supported so you can simply enjoy it.
That's what this family in Wellesley trusted us to create.
If you're ready for your own version of that magical backyard transformation, we'd be honored to talk with you about bringing your vision to life.
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