The existing residence was about three years old when Neils Lunceford got involved. The house was located on a 20% hillside. There were two problematic areas. The rear area was an extremely steep slope just a few feet out the back door (Figure 1). In the front, a similar condition existed. Steep slopes from the road edge, made circulation around the house nearly impossible.

The client wanted to make use of spaces in both the front and the backof the house. In the back, the idea was to have a hot tub and patio gathering space. This concept required extensive amounts of fill and large boulder retaining walls. When sitting in the hot tub or the patio area, you can relax with the views of the Ten Mile Range and Breckenridge Ski Area (Figure 3).

The concept for the front area was to provide a nicely planted feature to view from the house. A large rock outcropping with spruce planted atop it provides the background for extensive plantings. A new path was created through the front area to provide access to the hot tub area. Just before leaving the front area, a large boulder sluice (Figure 4) signifies an end to the space.

Before project construction, there were two sources of irrigation water entering the pasture on the east side. The volume of water could be regulated but the location the water entered the pasture could not be controlled. The client wanted a way to more effectively water the lower and middle portion of the pasture and make it an aesthetic amenity.

Through the use of three irrigation gates, the irrigation water was diverted and regulated along side the driveway. Using a typical cross section and meander pattern of a healthy mountain stream, a small "naturalized" stream was created. Just below the second pool a gate system was installed to allow the client to irrigate the middle portion of the pasture. At the outlet of the final large pool, the water is released into the lower portion to the pasture to irrigate this area that was previously fairly dry with sparse grazing vegetation.

The first pool in-line is at the entry of the drive where extensive planting, boulders, and water make an exciting entry statement. From the outlet of that pool the small stream meanders its way down the edge of the drive encompassed by native plantings to soften the edges and cascading down waterfalls to add interest. At the outlet of the third pool, the stream goes through a 12' culvert.

As the water comes out of the culvert, it begins pooling up and cascades over a boulder waterfall into the final pool. From the house side of this final large pool, you view the water surface backed by more extensive plantings, boulders, and the highly noticeable waterfall. When sitting along the pool's edge, one feels separated from outside noises and distractions. Most importantly, the water has a calming effect on all that experience it.

This phased single family project was first begun in 1990 high above the banks of the Snake River. The slopes at the South facing rear of the home were graded and seeded with a wildflower seed mixture for soil stabilization and color. The entrance featured a native stand of Lodgepole Pines and drainage challenges.

We created a dry rock streambed effect to channel water away from the foundation and trees. Plantings of Red Twig Dogwood, Yellow Twig Dogwood, Ash Leaf Spirea compliment the understory. Delphinium, Columbine, Bleeding Heart, Bergenia, Lungwort, Sweet Woodruff are the dominant shady perennials.

2-4' boulders have been added along the driveway for snow plow delineation, texture and plant protection. Planting of additional perennial flowers on both sides of drive lend an old fashion look to the planting scheme. Large nursery grown Colorado spruces have been installed near the house and drive. Concrete pavers were installed as they lead from the paved driveway to the front door of the residence.

The design for this project started in 1996. The project was initiated because the original home was being added to. Neils Lunceford was hired to design, submit, and get the Landscape Plan approved through the Keystone Architectural Review Committee. We met and coordinated with the owner, builder, and Review Committee to produce a plan that met at a common point.

As the project progresses, more areas are improved. The first areas of attention were the front, side, and rear areas around the new addition. A major hurdle for the rear was to construct a large boulder wall to allow a usable lawn space. The objective in the front area was to screen the house from the road.

New additions to the plan include additional parking areas, privacy fencing, and refurbishing an old water feature.

Landscape re-construction was first begun on this single family residence near the old Keystone Stables in 1991. Entrance and driveway treatment was the initial focus on this multi-year project. The first season we imported and placed 2-4' boulders to frame the driveway and provide planting spaces on the berm. Colorado Spruce, Bristlecone Pines, Mugho Pines, Potentilla, Peking Cotoneaster, Pixwells Gooseberry were used as trees and shrubs. Drifts of Maltese Cross, Blue Flax, Moneywort, Iceland Poppy, Delphinium, Penstemon, Sedum and Sempervivens species constitute the perennial palette.

In subsequent seasons we have completed tree, shrub and perennial plantings along the driveway closer to the residence and in the shady personal use spaces adjacent to the home. Native moss rock steps were placed in a random fashion for a walkway from front to back and down to the river. Concrete pavers were utilized for a more formal transition between the driveway asphalt and the front door pavers. Shady perennials near the house include Columbine, Geranium, Bergenia, Lamium, Polygonum. Potted tubs complete the flower show on 2 decks.

Neils Lunceford was hired to prepare the site, grading, and landscape plans. The first tasks included initial site visits with the client to determine an appropriate layout for the house, drive, and utilities on the site. From there Neils Lunceford coordinated with the client and architect on the building finished floor elevations which would ultimately determine the building height for this particular subdivision. As the project continued, coordination with the town and subdivision review board on modifications became the main task. The final site plan that was produced included grading, drainage, utilities, driveway, finished floor elevations, roof ridge line elevations, retaining wall details, and landscaping.

Neils Lunceford was requested to come out during the construction to provide input on various aspects of the site and landscape work.

This project received the "Best Site Planning" and "Best Landscape" award categories in the 2001 Summit County Parade of Homes.

The client, Keystone Neighborhood Company, contacted us about design a couple of public spaces within the River Run Neighborhood of Keystone. The first space was a small amphitheater. Neils Lunceford had several meetings with the Client about its needs for the community and resort guests. After determining basic needs we started drawing up concepts that were discussed and revised until a final design was agreed upon. In order to provide accurate detailed drawings, we surveyed the area to obtain its three-dimensional qualities. Once this data was analyzed we produced the final construction plans and details. Neils Lunceford then was used for construction observation and review of elements as they were constructed and various "field fit" items.

The second space was a play area for children visiting the resort. When Neils Lunceford was introduced to the project, the River Run Master Plan had called out a "tiny-town" play site for children in this area. Working with the Keystone Neighborhood Company, we came up with a miniature version of an 1800's wild west community for the play area. It consists of a town, mine building complete with a slide sluice box, a native american tee-pee, a gold panning stream, and wetlands. Once initial concepts were completed, the building portions were handed off to an architect to refine and enhance the structure and feasibility.