Sloped Backyard Transformation in Bel Air, MD
From an Unusable Hillside to a Backyard Built for Family Life.
This Bel Air family wanted a flat backyard where their children could play soccer, enjoy inflatable pools and celebrate birthdays. Harvest Outdoor Living transformed their steep hillside with a two-tier retaining wall system, bluestone staircases, new landscaping, a paver walkway and a beautiful new lawn.
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A Steep Backyard With Almost No Usable Space
The homeowners on Deer Valley Way in Bel Air, Maryland, had a backyard dominated by one large hill sloping toward their house. Although they had plenty of property, the steep grade made it difficult to use the space for the activities their family enjoyed.
Their goal was simple: create a large, level lawn where their children could play soccer, set up an inflatable pool and enjoy birthday parties. They also wanted comfortable, accessible outdoor space for family gatherings. With such a substantial slope, they weren't sure the transformation was even possible.
Through our landscape design process, Harvest developed a plan that combined excavation, a two-tier retaining wall system, bluestone staircases, new planting beds and a level lawn to make the backyard functional.
- Transform a steep hillside into usable level ground
- Create space for soccer, pools and family gatherings
- Install a two-tier retaining wall system
- Add bluestone steps, pavers and a new lawn
Using 3D Landscape Design to Reimagine the Hillside
Before construction began, Harvest met with the homeowners and presented a 3D landscape design showing how the sloped backyard could be transformed. The renderings helped the family visualize new level areas, retaining walls, staircases and planting beds in a way that traditional drawings alone could not.
We worked through several design revisions with the homeowners, adjusting the layout until it met their needs. The final plan balanced the amount of usable lawn with the retaining wall configuration, access between levels and the overall appearance of the backyard.
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Excavating More Than 100 Cubic Yards of Soil to Create Level Ground
Transforming the hillside required substantial excavation. Our team cut into the existing slope, removing more than 100 cubic yards of turf and soil to make room for the new retaining wall system and level backyard areas.
During site preparation, we also encountered an existing well line that needed to be relocated to accommodate the new layout. Harvest completed the necessary excavation, and licensed plumbers rerouted the line so construction could proceed according to the approved design.
This stage established the space needed for the retaining walls, staircases and finished lawn. It was the first major step in turning a steep hillside into a functional backyard.
- More than 100 cubic yards of turf and soil removed
- Hillside excavated to establish new level areas
- Existing well line relocated by licensed plumbers
- Site prepared for retaining walls and landscaping
A Two-Tier Retaining Wall System With Bluestone Staircases
With the hillside excavated, Harvest constructed a two-level retaining wall system to create the new usable backyard space. The tiered design allowed us to work with the property's significant elevation change while introducing defined landscape beds between the different levels.
We finished the retaining walls with bluestone caps and installed bluestone staircases on both sides, providing convenient access between the newly created areas. The project also included a new planting design, developed through our 3D landscape planning process, to soften the masonry and complement the backyard.
The result was more than a structural solution to a steep slope. The retaining walls, stone steps and planting beds became important visual features of the finished landscape.
- Custom two-tier retaining wall system
- Natural bluestone wall caps
- Bluestone staircases on both sides
- New garden beds and planting design
A New Level Lawn and Paver Walkway for Family Gatherings
Once the retaining walls and staircases were complete, Harvest installed a new paver walkway to provide a safe, level walking area and additional usable space for larger family gatherings outdoors.
We then prepared the newly created flat areas with fresh topsoil and installed tall fescue sod to establish a new lawn. This gave the homeowners the open, grassy space they had originally envisioned for their children.
Instead of a backyard dominated by a steep hillside, the family now has level ground for soccer, inflatable pools, birthday celebrations and everyday outdoor activities. The new walkway, staircases and planting beds connect the different areas into one cohesive landscape.
- New paver walkway and level gathering area
- Fresh topsoil across the new lawn areas
- New tall fescue sod installation
- Functional backyard space for play and entertaining
From an Unusable Hill to a Backyard the Whole Family Can Enjoy
The Deer Valley Way project demonstrates how thoughtful landscape design, substantial excavation and a well-planned retaining wall system can transform a challenging property. What was once a steep hillside is now a functional backyard with level lawn areas, bluestone staircases, attractive garden beds and space for the entire family to enjoy.
Think Your Sloped Backyard Has No Potential?
From retaining walls and backyard grading to custom landscape design and complete outdoor living transformations, Harvest Outdoor Living helps homeowners make better use of their properties in Bel Air and throughout Harford County, Maryland.