Sourcing and installing an outdoor Boulder Shower

PondWorks was asked to source and install boulders for a beach side residential project in Avalon, NJ. Landscape design by Hess Landscape Architects.

After collaborating with Hess Landscape Architects and speaking with a few quarries, a specific stone type was chosen and we acquired a delivery of boulders in order to have a kit-of-parts to work with, and to make the designer’s vision a reality. We used an off road fork lift as a crane to start standing up the stones and see how they fit together at our materials yard. This process had a very Stonehenge-like feel.

We staked out an area and made sure all the boulders fit within the space we will have at the actual project site. After the mock-up was created, we got final approval to proceed with the on-site installation.

A 200 ton crane was scheduled and we showed up to the site with our boulders staged, tagged, and ready to be picked from the street all the way into the rear yard - right in the corner of the new pool deck and next to the gorgeous sand dunes. The boulders were blocked up, shimmed, and mortared in place at their base. The installation went smoothly thanks to the mock up and pre-planning.

After some on-site stone coring and creative plumbing routing we wrapped up our portion of the project by getting the shower head & controls installed and flowing.

This was a quick turnaround, multifaceted build that tapped a number of the unique skill sets that PondWorks offers and enjoys showcasing. We look forward to the next challenge and appreciate the opportunity to take part in a custom design and installation like this.

Philadelphia Zoo Duck Pond

PondWorks has been awarded the contract to build the duck pond and stream exhibit at the Philadelphia Zoo’s new KidZoo U: Hamilton Family Children’s Zoo & Faris Family Education Center.

Scheduled to open in the Spring of 2013 the project will include indoor and outdoor interactive exhibits geared towards young visitors. The project is being managed by W.S. Cumby Construction Managers. The new interactive children’s center will transform both indoor and outdoor space and will be the first LEED certified zoo building in Pennsylvania. The duck pond exhibit will incorporate an upper pond, stream, waterfalls and lower pond into the larger outdoor landscape designed by Viridian Landscape Studio. The outdoor setting will set a new standard in storm water management and sustainability for the zoo. The duck habitat will be one part of the outdoor design that includes rainwater collection, wetland and native plantings and a natural landscape that references Southeastern Pennsylvania.

Designing for Ducks

PondWorks is part of the design team for Viridian Landscape Studio, along with SMP Architects and Philadelphia Zoo staff to develop a new duck pond habitat for the Philadelphia Zoo. This Duck Pond and naturalized stream is part of the new Hamilton Family Children’s Zoo and KidZoo U, a redevelopment of the historic Pachyderm House. The new interactive children’s center will transform both indoor and outdoor space and will be the first LEED certified zoo building in Pennsylvania.

PondWorks has been tasked with helping to bring the pond and water feature concept into reality. Design and planning of the ponds, filtration systems, rock work, water proofingand aquatic plantings will be considered to help transform what is now the old Pachyderm paddocks. The outdoor setting will set a new standard in storm water management and sustainability for the zoo. The duck habitat will be one part of the outdoor design that includes rainwater collection, wetland and native plantings and a natural landscape that references Southeastern Pennsylvania.

Oh what a beautiful pond

On June 16 customers from all over the county arrived at Pennview Christian academy for a day of building and information. PondWorks again teamed up with Fins Feather Paws & Claws who organized this pond day. The pond construction began at 9:00 and 8 hours later was completed.
Brian and his staff from Pond Works guided all the attendees through every step of pond construction from digging the hole to installing the proper equipment. Build A Pond participants said the hands on experience helped to build confidence to go home and build a pond of their own.
Stephen Schrag Director of Advancement was overwhelmed by this extraordinary gift that was given to the elementary school and can’t wait for the beginning of the school season to have some outside environmental classes with the students!

Pennock Walk Project

PondWorks was involved in a restoration project at the University of Pennsylvania’s Morris Arboretum www.morrisarboretum.org that took place in late 2006. The Pennock Walk Project included two fountains that needed to be restored to their original functions. The first project was a long copper lined fountain that contained 15 fountain jets. A new copper liner and a new filtration system were installed. In addition to installing completely new infrastructure for the circulation and filtration of both fountains PondWorks also added fiber optic lighting to the jets to illuminate them at night. The second project was an historic marble fountain that had been reconstructed. A copper spray ring consisting of 6 jets was installed into the fountain. After 2 months of work, the fountains were ready to be turned on. We were extremely happy with the way this project went and the smiles it brought to the avid gardeners and visitors.