Boardwalks Bridge the Gap to Nature
Previously inaccessible parts of the landscape can roll out the welcome mat with help from these clever and beautiful pathways
I am a freelance editorial and wedding photographer and Houzz contributor based out of Hershey, PA. Come visit me at 'A Nest for All Seasons' where I write about design, photography and modern garden living!
I am a freelance editorial and wedding photographer and Houzz contributor... More »
Creating a solid pathway through murky, sandy or shifting soils, a boardwalk creates a safe place for strolling. These simple, utilitarian landscape solutions can transform just about any exterior surface into a usable — often beautiful — walkway.
I recently stumbled upon a beautiful city park in Harrisburg, Pennsylvania, where boardwalks jut into the marshes of Wildwood Park, creating a peaceful walk through an otherwise inaccessible landscape.
Let's take a closer look at this park; it might just inspire you to add a wood walk to your own backyard retreat.
I recently stumbled upon a beautiful city park in Harrisburg, Pennsylvania, where boardwalks jut into the marshes of Wildwood Park, creating a peaceful walk through an otherwise inaccessible landscape.
Let's take a closer look at this park; it might just inspire you to add a wood walk to your own backyard retreat.
Inspiration
Wildwood Park has miles of usually inaccessible marsh, but it also has miles of boardwalks that make it a welcoming environment. The boardwalks curve around the natural lines of the land, jetting out into the marshes at intervals to provide visitors the opportunity to see wildlife up close.
Wildwood Park has miles of usually inaccessible marsh, but it also has miles of boardwalks that make it a welcoming environment. The boardwalks curve around the natural lines of the land, jetting out into the marshes at intervals to provide visitors the opportunity to see wildlife up close.
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| Do you have an inaccessible part of your yard? A boardwalk could help transform it into a welcoming retreat. |
| Garden Design for Boardwalks If you want a tall, lifted boardwalk, integrate plantings that just brush the walk. If the plants are too short, the boardwalk will feel unanchored. If the plants are too tall, it can feel claustrophobic. |
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| Your plant choices expand if you design a boardwalk low to the ground. In this case, you can pretty much work with plants of any height. Just don't impede foot traffic with aggressive, horizontal growers. |
Ferns and other woodland plants are the perfect height and shape for a boardwalk.
More plants for pathways
More plants for pathways
If possible, design the boardwalk around the existing plantings. Trees can provide the basic outline for the boardwalk and provide a ceiling for visitors strolling along the path.
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| Boardwalk Styles Here, a wide deck-like boardwalk helps frame the home and garden, grounding the home to its site. |
A boardwalk can help bring diagonals into a circular or straight space. These intersecting boardwalks provide movement to the left of the space while creating the opportunity for a water garden at the top of the frame.
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| Consider installing planking for practical purposes, aesthetic appeal or to get closer to the wildlife that lives nearby. Whether you choose weathered pine or redwood, stained finishes or a natural glow, boardwalks can give your space a whole new vibe and a whole new purpose. |
Comments
Dotty Wright Isn't there a concern about snakes, rodents or insects lurking beneath these boardwalks?
8 months ago · Like
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Morgan Daniels Some of these I had to clip to my dream home sections. lol I love how it can be used any time of year and how it would make for a magical walk thru your yard with a loved one be they old, young... and even open your yard for someone who is handicap. Great ideas...
8 months ago · Like
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ltcroucher Love this. I'm wishing really hard for a boardwalk from our small beach house to the wee beach in our property. The last house pictured in this article has the same deep blue board and batten siding as on our main house. The style goes really well with the waterfront.
8 months ago · Like
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Rodd Can you recommend reference material on how to build a boardwalk?
8 months ago · Like
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ZH Design I absolutely love boardwalks in the landscape. These projects are great. I am counting the days when I have a project and the client that is just begging for a boardwalk through their landscape. Im especially akin to those that meandor above the forest floor surrounded by ferns and other woodland ephemerals!
5 months ago · Like
Ideabook published on Oct. 7, 2012.
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