3610 Ocean VIew Avenue - Map 4L

This 120 foot deep front yard was an uninspiring swath of half dead lawn. The homeowners asked Kevin Connelly of Park Connelly and Associates to make it into something welcoming. 

Before

After

The aim was to make the long access to the house a pleasant stroll through a park-like setting, with various areas for lounging, entertaining, meditation and rvegetable gardening. The design incorporates an existing Chinese Elm and a mature pine. A rectangular concrete patio which was cracked and displaced was recycled into a more gracious, wandering and “softer” walkway leading from the sidewalk to the front door. 

Yin Yang symbol

The homeowners favorite feature is a yin-yang symbol constructed with white and black river stones as a 6ʼ diameter “junction” midway in the yard. A secondary gravel path leads from here to a quiet area bench and continues on to the raised vegetable planter box. It also helps to visually break up the distance to the house. A water feature near the deck entrance also reflects the welcoming aspects of a Feng Shui design. 

Water Feature

Feathers and Foliage of Mar Vista, a nature walk led by Roy van de Hoek, starts from this garden at 2:00 pm. 

See Special Events for more information.