CELEBRATION AND GRATITUDE
BACKYARD PROJECT
Abuzz with activity as children run and play, and adults visit and talk, the Christ Church Backyard is a gathering space for fun and fellowship. Yet, we were constrained by limited functional and play space. After months of planning, designing, and implementing the project, we are pleased to highlight the work that was done, and recognize the gifted and talented people from our parish who helped make it happen!
INTENTION & GOALS
This project aligned with the church’s core values, especially community and hospitality. The aesthetic reflects beauty in a way that is welcoming and invites belonging. At its heart, the concept expands the area and creates a shared community space where meaningful connection can flourish.
The space preserves and celebrates the richness of our church’s diversity and multi-generational makeup, honoring the role it has played in our lives: a gathering place, a playground, and a venue for events and celebration.
The reimagined space addresses past logistical challenges and opens the door to new opportunities for connection, learning, and support. More than a project—it’s an invitation to be together!
VISION & VALUES
The guiding vision for the backyard is "Eden in the City". Embedded in the surrounding city scape, it's an oasis of natural beauty where intergenerational life is happening. The story of the Bible starts in a garden and ends in a city...a garden city.
A deep respect for native plants and a strong sense of place that comes from living among our local flora inspired the design. The space reflects and supports the surrounding ecology, emphasizing soil health, biodiversity, and seasonal beauty. Plant selection kept kids in mind! Children can play in the gardens, rock islands, and wooden open-ended play pieces.
Designed with inclusion and accessibility in mind, the space is welcoming and easy to use for everyone. Plants were chosen for their seasonal beauty, and for how they engage the senses-adding color, texture, and scent.
A cozy picnic area, natural shade, playful features, and a gathering space provide opportunities for restoration, learning, and joyful connection.
FUN FACTS
- The portable building expands our facility and classrooms, providing enough space for every child who comes to Christ Church on a Sunday morning!
- The backyard is heavily native planted, which restores soil and provides ecological benefits to our Blackland Prairie soil.
- Recessed rain gardens hold water runoff, giving it a chance to absorb into the soil for the benefit of deeply rooted native plants.
- Unlike Texas pavement, the flat pancake rocks don’t get any hotter than the air temperature.
- A good portion of the fence was moved 10’ to increase the backyard by over 700 sq feet.
- New ADA compatible pathways were created, while still keeping two-thirds of the sport court.
- Wooden play structures and benches by Kompan compliment a nature-focused design, and keep the space hospitable for gatherings of all generations.
- The playground went through safety clearance, ensuring proper spacing between play structures. The equipment is friendly to open-ended play so that more kids can enjoy the space at one time.
- Natural material borders double as play equipment.
RECOGNITION & GRATITUDE
There are some people from our very own parish who poured an incredible amount of professional excellence, time and heart into this project that we would like to thank and recognize.
Tim Diller and David Pappenhagen designed a beautiful cedar wood pergola. With the help of Cody Bruner, Bill Back, Frank Berlanga, Art Schneider, Craig Doerksen, and Pete Newell, the team endured the heat of summer to construct a welcoming shade reprieve.
We would especially like to thank Jennifer Townshend and Bryson Owen for the numerous hours they poured into this project with their gifts and care for this community.
Jennifer Townshend – Landscape Designer
Created the plan, including softscape, hardscape, and playground design.
Drift Landscape Design
Bryson Owen –
Project Manager
Managed budget and timeline, planned and supervised construction.
Rubric Consulting
To all who contributed to the Backyard Project: Thank You! Your generosity is a blessing to our whole community!
Landscape design rendering and all photos featured here by Jen Townsend of Drift Landscape Design.