Mountain Oasis: Multi-Phase Landscaping in Northeast Heights, ABQ

Having just welcomed their first baby, Maura and Andrés were ready to turn their neglected backyard into a safe and beautiful place they could actually use. They had already invested in the inside of their home...now it was time for the outside to catch up.

Location: Northeast Heights, Albuquerque, NM

Focus: Family-friendly design, entertaining space, phase-friendly expansion

The Challenge

Their backyard near the mountains felt more like rough hillside than usable yard, featuring:

• An old, failing deck that creaked and felt unsafe

• Overgrown, untouched areas that looked like they hadn’t been maintained in years

• A playground area filled with sand, weeds, and stickers

• No clear structure, levels, or safe pathways

• Very limited kid-friendly space

Maura and Andrés wanted:

• Grass right outside the door for their child to play on

• A comfortable space to relax with a glass of wine and entertain friends

• Defined flower beds, pathways, and steps

• A layout that was safe for kids, including fencing where needed

• The ability to add over time as their ideas and budget evolved

Phase 1: Backyard Clean-Up and Landscape Redesign

We began by reshaping the entire yard so it would be both functional and inspiring to use.

1. Major Cleanup and Haul-Off

• Cleared out years of overgrowth and debris

• Hauled away 5–7 full loads loads in a 16-foot dump trailer

• Transformed the space from wild & overgrown to a workable canvas

2. Creating a Level Area for Outdoor Living

• Excavated and leveled a flat pad for concrete (about 25' x 20')

• Poured a concrete slab as the base for a gazebo

This gave the family a central outdoor living “destination”: a shaded spot to gather, dine, and relax.

3. Terraced Flower Beds and Limestone Steps

To make the steep grade usable, we:

• Cut the hillside into multiple planted tiers

• Built long, generous steps down the middle with:

  • Framed lumber structure

  • A limestone mosaic surface (using light gray as a modern, elegant alternative to traditional tan or red flagstone, giving the yard a fresh, updated look)

• Turned both sides of the steps into continuous flower beds

4. Grass, Irrigation, and Safety

• Installed a new sprinkler system

• Created a grassed area that’s:

  • Fully fenced for safety

  • Ideal for kids to run and play

  • Close enough for parents to keep an eye on things

We added strategic fencing and railings so kids couldn’t tumble down stairs or slopes, making the space both beautiful and safe.

Phase 2: Deck Rebuild and Expanded Features

As the main structure took shape, Maura and Andrés began to see what was possible. The project naturally expanded as they were inspired by the results.

1. Rebuilding the Deck

The old, failing deck had to go. We:

• Demolished the existing structure

• Reframed and rebuilt it using:

  • Composite decking for long-term durability and low maintenance

  • A simple raw lumber and chicken wire railing for safety and affordability

  • Corrugated metal skirting to conceal the framing and give a clean, modern finish

2. Extending Pathways and Lawn

After seeing the limestone mosaic steps installed, the clients loved the look and wanted more:

• Extended pathways that echoed the limestone aesthetic around the deck and yard

• Expanded the lawn area on the opposite side of the deck once they saw how well the grass performed

  • More space for kids to play

  • More green, usable area for the whole family

3. Upgrading the Play Area

To make the play space truly kid-friendly, we:

• Removed the existing sand, weeds, and stickers

• Installed rubber mulch for:

  • A softer, safer landing surface

  • A cleaner, more modern appearance

A Project That Grew With the Family

Maura and Andrés didn’t start with a fully defined “dream backyard” plan. They started with a strong first phase, then expanded as they saw what they loved:

• Phase 1 created the core structure: cleanup, terracing, steps, concrete pad, and lawn.

• Phase 2 added the deck rebuild, extended pathways, more grass, and an upgraded playground.

This project is a perfect example of how Arborscapes works in phases:

• Each phase is functional and complete on its own

• Clients can see the quality and feel the space before deciding on the next step

• The design leaves room for inspiration, budget adjustments, and evolving needs

The end result is a family-friendly mountain oasis: safe for kids, beautiful for entertaining, and tailored to how this young family truly lives.

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

"Clay and his team did a great job transforming our backyard! It was full of dirt and weeds and they helped our vision come to life! Now we have a backyard oasis for our whole family to enjoy. Everything from building retaining walls and laying sod to landscaping and building a brand new deck, we were amazed and happy with the finished product! Would recommend to all!"

–Maura Chavez