Shoreline Landscaping Solutions

Retaining Walls for Lakefront Access

The first challenge for many waterfront properties is to level the ground and provide safe access to the shore or wooden dock. Rather than a direct stairway from top to bottom, we prefer to terrace the land and build meandering paths, providing interest and rest along the way. At the shoreline, we will often build a perched beach and occasionally replace a crumbling headwall along the shoreline. In these instances, we often do the shoreline retaining wall construction work in late fall when the lake level has been lowered.

Landscape Lighting for Safety and Elegance

Low-voltage landscape lighting goes hand-in-hand with safety along the shore. We install state-of-the-art LED landscape lighting systems that are Bluetooth controlled. Separate zones allow maximum design options while using minimal electricity. From a mobile device, our clients can control the ambient outdoor lighting along the perimeter while keeping pathways and dock areas held it for safety.

Did you know Wakefield NH is also known as the “Seven Lakes Region?”

That is because there are seven lakes there: Great East Lake, Balch Lake, Lovell Lake, Belleau Lake, Ivanhoe Lake, Province Lake and Pine River Pond. That’s a LOT of shorelines! Over the past 20 years, Green Monster Landscapes has provided many shoreline landscaping solutions in Wakefield – from NH Shoreland Permitting to waterfront landscape design ideas to perched beach and shoreline retaining wall construction.

Landscape Plantings Blend the Built Environment in with the Natural World.

The project would be complete without providing a palette of greenery to soften the hardscaping. We have an extensive knowledge of plant material. Our design ideas fill in without overcrowding and create a tranquil environment. Both seacoast and lakeside properties in New Hampshire are subject to the Shoreline Protection Act, which limits the number of plants that can be cut on and provides guidance on re-vegetating those shoreline areas. Planting native plants is also encouraged.

Permeable Pavement Makes the Most of a Small Footprint.

Also under the Shoreline Protection Act, there are restrictions on the amount of square footage that can be covered by non-pervious surfaces, like a poured concrete home foundation or asphalt driveway. We almost always install permeable pavement using pavers or natural stone on these waterfront properties. This improves drainage and doesn’t not count as non-pervious surfaces. Today’s permeable pavers aren’t the honeycomb pavers of old – filled with rocks and, eventually, weeds. They are stylish and beautiful with a wide array of patterns and colors. You would never know they are permeable. For a more rustic look, we often install bluestone flagging on a permeable base. The result is the same, only with a more organic look-and-feel of outdoor spaces.

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