I have an uneven yard, and need to install a swing set. I am hoping to get some feedback to help me decide the best course of action to level the area. The install area is in the side yard.
The side yard slopes from the front of the property to the rear. In addition, the side yard has a swale, so that there is a slope away from the house, but the low point is in my yard. Most properties in the subdivision have the low point between properites right on the property line, but this case is different.
A couple years ago, we had a metal swing set that straddled the swale, and the front to back slope was not a problem. Now, with a wood playset with clubhouse, I need to get the ground leveled. I have staked out the area, but have yet to get a string on it. by eyeballing it, I’d say the back is almost a foot lower than the front, over a 22 foot span. The swale is about 6 inches lower in the middle over an 8 foot span.
So it seems like the options are 1) put in a retaining wall at the rear end, add a drain pipe, and fill in the area to level; 2) put in a retaining wall at the front, and excavate to level (seems like the most difficult); or 3) dig out some at the front, use that to fill the rear.
Any thoughts on how to proceed? I guess the goal is the least work, but the best chance of remaining level over time.
Replies
Though there's a bit of crossover, this sounds more like a Breaktime question. Personally a 1 ft. drop over 22' sounds just about right for drainage. You can modify the height of the legs easier than the ground. For the six inch drop you can get fill dirt for free, thing is the guys that are trying to get rid of it want to do it a dump at a time. You'd have to figure out what to do with the rest. Any other low areas in the yard, neighbor? Then you'd want some tough ground cover to keep it there. Wouldn't recommend the gravel w/ asbestos we played on as kids.
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