Pond Boss Forums INTRO Questions & Observations Pond "Amenities"

What are some possible additions to a pond that you've seen, done, or are considering? I am building a one acre pond and plan on including a swimming area, campsite, storage shed, and a floating/movable dock. What are some other, possibly fun, ideas out there that you've seen that you consider good additions to the pond environment?

well there's a thread on here about ziplines which are pretty cool.

http://www.pondboss.com/forums/ubbthreads.php?ubb=showflat&Number=163684#Post163684

There's another link in that thread that Bski was kind enough to add with more ideas.

I plan on building some permanent park like benches in a few choice locations. Just haven't figure out the design yet.

Don't forget the birds

RobA - If you find a good plan for benches, please let us know.

RobA - If you find a good plan for benches, please let us know.

Will do. I'm trying to figure out how to make a bench that uses 2 4x4's sunk in the ground as legs. Of course my daughther also wants the bench to have a back and arms...

dry hydrant

A post with pond rules sign, diagram of structure placement and depth, and safety equipment such as a rope, and life saver.

Floating trampoline. Kids are crazy for them.

Something very simple I did was just to put a row of solar yard lights about every 10 feet all around the side of the bank opposite the house. It adds a nice touch in the evening.

one of those underwater lights by the floating dock would be pretty cool in the evening.

Bench plans.
http://www.handymanwire.com/articles/gardenbenchplans.html

Water fountain could be nice... Depends on the look you are going for. Bridges, floating islands, gazebos, boat ramps, covered area on your dock/pier so you can fish in the rain(without getting wet), rope swing and water slide. When I build a large enough pond, I'd like to make a miniature sheer rock cliff, to jump from. Used to have a lot of fun jumping off the sheer rock cliffs at Raystown Lake. That requires a lot of digging, rocks and deep water to do is safely though!

If you want a bench and are lazy like me (I prefer efficient):

http://blog.makezine.com/archive/2006/08/how_to_make_a_leopold_bench.html

I've seen a lot of yard things made with cypress wood...beautiful natural stuff (I am from Louisiana). You can always do the normal benches, but like one said an added birdhouse (I brought mine from LA, it's an antebellum home), duck houses, picnic bench, chairs all add features. I sought out a small 'shed' to put my fishing and yard gear in, you can get it natural, stained, or as I did, stained it to match house. An outhouse is a nice touch for fishing pools. I'll find the link to where I got my shed locally. Here it is...the red stain one in the photos is mine he made.

http://www.wildwoodcottageshop.com/

Here is my version of the simulated rock cliff. We built it last weekend and still have some railing and a water slide to add.

First, I would definitely add some fish!!! They can be a lot of fun! Then I would add a fish feeder, because you can spend hours watching and feeding your fish. Definitely would put the fish feeder on a floating dock with a buglight and a green light, because then you can watch fish all night long! I would add a swim platform to give the kids somewhere to swim to and from, not as fun to just swim out to the middle and back???

I would pick up a paddle boat or small pontoon boat along the way, as well as a couple fish cages to hold bait minnows, remove unwanted fish and store fish to be cleaned and eaten at a convenient time. I even raise fish in cages to be released at a later date. Dont forget the fish cleaning station!

Depending on the age of your kids/grandkids Sand Volleyball court or water basketball hoop is pretty fun, and depending on the slope going into the pond, homemade waterslides are pretty fun too.

Theres a few suggestion for ya. I got some mo', just dont got any mo time.

Very cool Natester - that would be fun to jump off plus you could cast a long ways from up there!

JWHAP wants a peddle boat, there are some very cool ones out there.

I've been thinking about either buying or making the "economy bench" in the link. http://www.jamestownadvanced.com/Products/Benches/tabid/59/Default.aspx They want $108 for the powder coated, in-ground version. I like the idea of cementing it into the ground and then using pavers around it.

I'm also looking at their picnic tables.

Then there is the floating dock, the gazebo and a bridge over my spillway. If I ever get those things done, I might even build a nice walkway.

Eddie

Eddie
These are made SE of San Antonio. I was impressed by the durability and quality (benches and picnic tables):
http://rangergate.com/bench.htm
http://rangergate.com/picnic_table.htm

Interesting looking benches and tables. Any idea of what they cost? I'd buy the wood locally as I'm not a big fan of Wolmanized treated wood. The deck on my trailer rotted out in less then five years with Wolmanized wood.

Eddie

Very cool ideas guys. Keep them coming. Would love to add some really fun things like the zipline, floating trampoline (had never heard of that before), a rope swing, a water slide, and one of those simulated rock cliffs. I'll have to keep in mind how much room I have to work with of course. Really good ideas though. Benches around the pond would definitely be a nice touch. I found some great floating dock plans here - http://www.instructables.com/id/Floating-Dock-with-Barrels/. I like the idea of being able to move it around the pond. Lighting would be cool too and something I hadn't thought of.

Yes, n8ly, I was planning on adding fish as well.

n8ly,I really like your simulated rock cliff!!! Please post pictures after the railing and slide is added.

Thanks...Looking forward to it.