Parks & Recreation Department - Notable Yards 2007

OSCAR SMITH. Greg and Peg Morin. 703 Watch Island Reach.

WOW—is the first, and last, thought that crosses your mind when you visit Greg and Peg Morin’s home, located on the southern branch of the Elizabeth River in the Riverwalk area.

“We built our home 8 ½ years ago,” said Greg.  “I literally came here with a machete and started clearing our lot.”  A relatively small part of the yard that immediately surrounds the house is landscaped in a manicured fashion.  The most spectacular area, though, is the natural area between the house and the waterway.  A wooden walkway dog-legs through the natural area to a pier on deep water, where the Morins are able to keep a boat.  “We had the pilings professionally installed, but Greg installed most of the walkway himself,” said Peg.  “We were very careful to abide by the Chesapeake Bay Preservation Act.”

Half-way down the walkway, Greg built an impressive shed and a deck with a porch-style swing.  “Greg put in a picture window in the shed so he can enjoy the view,” said Peg.  “He even installed a fan and a telephone.  When we sit in the swing, we can see the Great Bridge Bridge.”

Also along the walkway, a large whimsical Big Bird sculpture made out of old car parts and saw blades delights visitors.  “My brother-in-law Joe Girardi made Big Bird,” said Greg.

The manicured area near the house uses the natural area as its background, showcasing the colors of azaleas, hydrangeas, knockout roses, crepe myrtles, and a variety of other plants and trees.  “We had to adapt our garden after Hurricane Isabel,” said Peg.  “We lost 16 trees to Isabel.  Our garden became a sunny garden.”

Creative touches abound.  Greg made his own “upside down tomato planters” using standard white plastic buckets. Squash plants grow in the planting bed below.  He even ran the underground sprinkler line to the planters, as well as deck pots, to make watering easier.

He creatively hid his City wheeled trash can under the tall deck.  He included a gate so he could easily roll the trash can under the deck.  He built a trap door on the deck and attached the top of the trash can to the trap door with a bungee cord to make it easier to put out the trash.

He made attractive French drains under the gutter spouts to help control water run-off.

The Morins planted blueberries in pots that flank the entrance to the walkway so that birds could eat the berries.