My question is do you want privacy or the view of the park IMO you can't get both. What are planning for the space where you want the fence ? IMO view trumps privacy since IMO privacy is over rated in outdoor spaces .I think th fact that you can access the trail from your yard is awesome but as for fencing I would probably use more like metal and glass or metal and thin pickets or something totally different these are corten steel give you some privacy but keeps the view . You really have no real privacy in this situation and I would maybe plan on pergolas to acjieve the actual sense of privacy in outdoor seating areas you could even add outdoor drapes if it really is an issue.

If you need a fence, what is the style of your house? Do you have a picture of what it is going to look like?

@Patricia Colwell Consulting I agree, our future neighbors (two houses right next to us) have moved in but none has installed any fence so far. The view is indeed more important in our situation.

@houssaon Here is how the house will look like but with General Shale Snowy Ridge brick and black windows

Very attractive house. I agree that a black metal fence would look good. You can plant screens to shield very specific areas. For example, if you have a patio, plant the screen about 1/3 of the way between the patio and the edge of property. Closer to the patio, you can plant hydrangeas. It doesn't have to be a dense planting like the one below.

Plants that I like are Crepe Myrtle, Magnolia, and (Eagleston) holly trees.

New Orleans Estate · More Info

Here are some more magnolias on the left and crepe myrtle.

Mediterranean Style Home and Gardens · More Info

Wellswood Plantation · More Info

Privacy Screening · More Info

Privacy Screening along pool with Eagleston Hollies and Little Gem Magnolias · More Info

Yes, wrought iron or the like across the back with a gate. Don't want strangers wandering through your yard:)

So what does the elevation of the side that faces the park look like? That's where the issue will be. I would wait on a decision. It may be that new neighbors will all want fences and a community concensus fence will work out better for everyone to have a uniform look to the neighborhood surrounding the park (see houssaon's last photo.) Personally, I'd rather have a private back yard than a view of the park and strangers, but you may not feel that way.

I like the iron fence idea, but I would use the same kind of fence all the way around. Please, no vinyl with that elegant house.

I think you need to know what reality is once the house is built to know what you need to do to have the appropriate amount of privacy.

My sister built a home that backs onto the rail trail. There were places where people using the trail could look directly into her home and one area where the entrance to the rail trail was wide open to her back yard. She had a landscape design created that strategically placed trees and plants and a tall outdoor fireplace to minimize invasion of privacy but not block the entire view.

Like the idea of a wrought iron fence. One thought on plantings: if you are backing to parkland, please plant native trees, shrubs, etc.

If it will conform with your neighborhood setting, a three rail split rail fence with a gate (~48" height.) would not destroy your park view, keep the dogs confined, and deter trespassers. Maintenance and original cost would be low.

put in a medium height fence and plan out two seating areas. one seating area on an elevated deck where you can easily see the park. another seating area on the ground closer to the fence where people can't easily see you when you're sitting. that second seating area could have a fire pit since it would be away from your house. this is the setup we have at our house and we love it!

OR...do a see-through fence for the view, and then build a large pergola with one or two slatted walls (or trellises with plants). then you have your view from most of the houe / yard, but can have a semi-private area when you want it.

Make sure it's tall and not climbable and can be locked. Yards in my area that back up to parks or commercial buildings are sometimes used as the access point to the getaway car that is parked behind the yard or just as the access point to freedom from cameras on everyone's house. Also, almost all breakins in my area happen in the back of the house.

If I were putting up a fence -- and I would in that location -- its primary purposes would be privacy and keeping out unwanted visitors. Having said that, there are many ways to preserve some of the lovely outlook with see-through fences and climbing vines. Also remember that the fence does not have to be uniform in design. You could have a major design theme for most of the panels, but that doesn't mean that you couldn't add in variety with some parts allowing more "see-through" for you. You could even insert some clear panels of tempered glass if you wanted an unobstructed view in some places.

Try no fencing at all. If problems arise address it then but I'd wait and see while you enjoy your magnificent back yard. If people walk by and look just wave, smile and say good afternoon while going about your business. This may turn into a rewarding pass time over the years so see how it goes.

Just a few corner items to define the boundaries is all I suggest for now and at most a low simple 30" fence if people creep across the boundaries on a regular basis. I would never desecrate what you will have with a privacy fence of any type. In my experience a privacy fence in a setting like yours would be a prime spot for young people to congregate behind looking for privacy themselves for any of a number of reasons, and there would be nothing you could do except pick up the beer cans they throw over the fence in the morning. They'd be more worried about you watching them than the other way around and find a new place to party. 6' high iron fencing would make me feel like a prisoner in my own back yard, maybe it's just me but I'm just sharing.

Do you have an HOA? There may be guidelines in the covenants that dictate height, type, etc.

First, find out what the HOA, if any, requires in the way of fencing. Your developer probably is still in charge of the HOA. Ask them before you do anything. Options range from aluminum black iron fencing, three rail split rail with wire attached to prevent the dogs and kids from going through it to the much hated but useful chain link with vinyl cover in black or green. The eye will pass through all of these types of fencing. Privacy fencing would be my last choice. You can plant a hedge material to block the view, but I would still install a fence first.