By DC Rutherford
“Why have a pool by the lake?” I ask, somewhat dumbfounded, spurred by the memory of my cottage neighbours putting one in last summer, right as the August sun took the lake to a crisp and summery 25˚C. The best water in the world is right there – literally at your feet – all across Ontario. Craig Rose and Ashley Gowland of Rockscape, a longstanding Muskoka landscape company, laugh before setting me straight.
“Landscape projects that include water features have seen substantial growth. We’ve outfitted several properties with hot tubs and spas, and more and more, it’s the full pool,” says Rose. “The pandemic has driven it for sure. Individuals have spent the last two years appreciating life outdoors more than ever. For many, outdoor spaces [have] allowed friends and family to gather, reconnect, and find solace. Whether the client wanted a sports court or a flagstone patio, they desired spaces that allowed entertainment and fun experiences.”
When it comes to taking a dip and creating a splash, some properties are either on less-than-desirable waterfront, or have no access at all. And even the most Canadian of us won’t generally find ourselves in the lake before Victoria Day or after Labour Day. So having a pool a few steps away from the cottage is the perfect solution. And what better way to cool down after a rigorous game of pickleball on a custom court?
But how does Rockscape ensure a pool (or any other outdoor amenity) fits into the aesthetic of the prospective property and Muskoka’s unique landscape?
“We can achieve a more natural look by implementing [indigenous resources like] granite boulders and caprock to place back into the landscape. Once the pool, court or outdoor space is installed and the concrete and rockwork is complete, we must put back whatever we can to make it look as natural as possible,” explains Rose.
“Whether a pool, tennis court, dining area or outdoor kitchen, we seamlessly integrate all outdoor amenities into the initial landscape plans. Our designers not only make these spaces functional but beautiful, with strategically placed rockwork and exceptional perennial gardens. We go one step beyond and ensure that owners can get the maximum usage out of their investment and install lighting to enjoy their additions well into the evening,” he continues.
The challenges of a natural appearance go beyond the aesthetic of each project. “One of the first things in the process is to make sure that we conform to all the local by-laws,” explains Rose. “There are varying regulations for structures such as pools and tennis courts in different municipalities. Working with those regulations, we make recommendations as to where we think we would be able to place these particular structures with the least amount of disturbance to the landscape.”
A recent project best illustrates Rockscape’s 30-plus years of experience and attention to the Muskoka landscape. A client showed Rose and Gowland a photo of a perfectly implemented and seamlessly integrated pool in Muskoka. Except, the pool was in downtown Toronto.
“They thought the shot was from Muskoka,” laughs Rose. “And I said, ‘Well, I’ve got to be honest, that’s one of our signature projects.’ That took us almost three years to complete, but it was a pool with a beautiful grotto and slide and an overflow infinity edge. That was in the heart of downtown Toronto. He’s like, ‘Are you kidding me?’”
Many of us have moved up to the lake, and Rockscape has been there to greet us, to help carve our lives into their backyard, as Rose says, “like it belongs.” After all, the lake may be cold, but the pool will always be perfect.
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