Glen Morris

This plunge-pond backyard project in the St. George / Brant County area was designed to feel like a compact resort—swim, lounge, gather, and enjoy the sound of moving water without the yard feeling overbuilt.

The centrepiece is a plunge pond with an attached stream and waterfall, sized to give a true swim experience with a deeper swim zone and natural stone slab “swim-up” steps. The layout includes a beach-entry style transition, and the water feature is framed with boulders, cobble edging, and aquatic planting so it reads like part of the landscape—not a standalone insert.

Around the water, the yard is organized into simple, usable zones: rustic flagstone patios, stepping-stone paths that guide you through the space, and a dedicated fire pit area that becomes the evening hangout. A cedar pergola adds a bit of shelter and structure without making the yard feel heavy.

Planting is intentionally layered—woodland shade areas, cottage-style sun beds, and soft screening—so the space feels private and established as it grows in. Finishing touches like underwater and accent lighting extend the atmosphere well past sunset.

Before the Landscape Transformation

Before the work began, the Glen Morris backyard was mostly an open sloped lawn with naturalized edges, scattered growth, and no defined outdoor living spaces. The site already had privacy, mature greenery, and a peaceful rural setting, but it lacked structure, destination points, and any clear connection between the house and the lower yard.

The goal of the transformation was to take that raw, underused space and turn it into a compact resort-style retreat built around water, gathering, and movement through the landscape.

During Construction

During construction, the Glen Morris backyard started to take shape as excavation defined the plunge pond, liner installation set the base for the water feature, and large boulders, cobble, and slab pathways began organizing the slope around the house.

As the work progressed, the stream and waterfall corridor was carved into the grade, structural stone was set in place, and the project started connecting the upper deck and patio areas to the lower landscape.

Even mid-build, you can see the shift from an open slope to a more immersive, water-led backyard with clearer circulation, stronger grade control, and dedicated spaces to gather and relax.

After Completion

The finished Glen Morris project transforms the sloped backyard into a compact resort-like retreat centred on a plunge pond, attached stream, and natural stone waterfall sequence. Rustic flagstone patios, a cedar pergola, and a dedicated fire pit area create clear places to lounge, gather, and take in the water, while boulders, aquatic planting, and layered gardens help the whole space feel settled into the landscape.

In the final result, the yard feels immersive and relaxed from every angle, with the pond reflecting the house by day and the lighting extending the atmosphere well into the evening.