Eleven-year-old Carter Foss hops across the pond in his backyard. Photos by Ben Duke.

Evenings in the Elkins Meadows subdivision of Steamboat Springs are a little different since the Foss family moved in. On a summer’s night, their yard has become a favorite gathering place for kickball and glow-in-the-dark Wiffle ball sessions. “We have a lot of fun,” says Jen Foss.

The family of five built their home three years ago and, after construction, the yard immediately became the focus. “We had initial drawings that came with the house plans but my husband, Troy, had his own ideas and sat down with Kyle and Christine Pietras at KP Landscapes to create the final design,” Jen continues.

Their corner lot primarily faces southeast, backed by an imposing rock face, and aspen grove leading to Fish Creek Falls. Natural streams flow into the subdivision and the Fosses already had a sizable, natural pond on their land. The design incorporated the pond, although it was minimized, and a water feature was created by bordering a stream with locally sourced boulders.

“There is an easement through the property with a soft trail,” Jen says. “In the summer, it’s become a very friendly way to meet people as they pass through with their dogs, who often stop for a sip or a dip in the water to cool off."

The couple wanted plenty of space for their three boys to roam. A large expanse of grass was earmarked for games. Little did they know, it would not only encourage sports, but also inspire their youngest son, 11-year-old Carter, to start a lawn mowing business. “We didn’t even know he was actively sourcing customers in the neighborhood until he saved up and asked to buy his own mower,” Jen says. “He is going to be very busy this summer.”

The family spends a great deal of time outside, whether cooking in an outdoor kitchen, gathering around the fire pit or hosting a plethora of guests. “Continual color was important in the plantings we chose, with lower maintenance,” says Christine Pietras. “The way the house is oriented on the property created a series of microclimates."

A shaded walkway is lined with a mix of coral bells, bergenia, brunnera (Jack Frost) and foxgloves. Sunny spots are awash with favorite blooms including salvia, allium, gaillardia (blanket flower) and liatris. Native grasses intermix with sage and columbines, requiring little water or attention. “It’s amazing how quickly this garden has established itself, and a lot of that is down to great soil amendments in the beds,” Christine says.

Trees were already abundant on the property, with minimal plantings at the entryway required. Colorado blue spruce and aspens were chosen to frame the front of the house. “The boys run amuck in the woods,” Jen says. They are not alone. A wealth of wildlife feels very at home with the Fosses, including bears, who became especially fond of 13-year-old Austin’s beehives.

“Luckily we’ve been able to deter wildlife from eating the flowers,” Christine says. While it’s clear the Fosses’ yard issues a warm welcome, their own resident pups, Bailey and Bronco, get the final say in who gets to stay and play.