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Inside a Scottsdale Backyard Water Park: Lazy River, Pool Slide & Pickleball Court
- 2 days ago
- 10 min read
A backyard can be much more than a swimming pool and a patio. With thoughtful planning, it can become a private resort, a family gathering place, a training area, an entertainment venue, or even a backyard water park.
This Scottsdale property brings several of those experiences together in one outdoor environment. The design includes a lazy river, a custom pool slide, a pickleball court, shaded gathering areas, flexible turf, family recreation spaces, and places to relax outside the water.
The result is impressive, but the most important lesson is not that every backyard needs every amenity shown here.
The best backyard is not necessarily the one with the longest feature list. It is the one designed around the people who will use it.
In the project video, Marty encourages homeowners to think beyond the pool itself: Who will use the property? What will they do outside the water? Is the space intended for children, adults, sports, entertaining, or a combination of all four? Those questions should guide the design before individual amenities are selected.
Start With the Experience, Not the Amenity List
It is easy to begin a backyard project by listing features:
Pool
Spa
Fire pit
Outdoor kitchen
Pickleball court
Pergola
Turf
Water slide
However, a collection of features does not automatically create a successful backyard.
Before deciding what to build, think about the experience you want the property to provide.
Do you want a quiet place to unwind at the end of the day? A backyard where your children and their friends can spend hours? A space for large family gatherings? A place to train and play sports? Or a complete outdoor destination that combines several of these uses?
Once the experience is clear, it becomes easier to identify which amenities support it—and which ones may simply take up valuable space.
1. Lazy River Pools
A lazy river is one of the most recognizable features in this Scottsdale backyard water park.
Unlike a traditional rectangular pool, a lazy river creates movement through the property. It can wrap around landscaping, gathering spaces, islands, or other features, turning the water into part of the overall circulation and experience of the yard.
A lazy river may be a great fit for homeowners who want:
A resort or water-park atmosphere
A pool designed for floating and relaxation
An interactive feature for children and adults
A water element that moves through multiple areas
A dramatic centerpiece for a large property
A lazy river can also help make the pool feel like an experience rather than a single destination. Instead of entering the water, swimming in one area, and getting out, users move through different parts of the backyard.
A lazy river may not be the best fit when:
The available yard is relatively small
Open deck space is a higher priority
The homeowners primarily want a pool for lap swimming
The design needs to remain simple and minimal
Other amenities would provide more everyday value
A lazy river usually becomes one of the main organizing elements of the property. That means the surrounding landscaping, walkways, bridges, seating, and structures must all
be planned around it.
It should not feel like a conventional pool with an extra channel attached. It should feel integrated into the entire backyard.
2. Custom Pool Slides
A pool slide can turn a backyard into a much more active and playful environment.
For families with children—or adults who still want to have fun—a well-designed slide can become one of the most frequently used features in the yard.
The slide shown in this project is especially distinctive. Marty explains that it was reclaimed from an amusement park, custom engineered, and approved by the city before being incorporated into the property.
That is an unusual example, but it illustrates an important point: custom pool slides are not limited to the small prefabricated models commonly placed near the edge of a pool.
They may be integrated into:
Artificial rock formations
Raised landscape areas
Custom towers
Hillsides
Play structures
Architectural walls
Elevated decks
A pool slide may be a good fit for:
Families with children
Homeowners who frequently entertain
Large pools with active recreation zones
Resort-style or water-park-inspired designs
Properties with enough space to integrate the slide naturally
It may not be ideal for:
Minimal or highly formal designs
Small yards where it would dominate the space
Households unlikely to use it regularly
Properties where the required access structure would feel visually disconnected
The slide itself is only part of the design. Homeowners should also think about how users reach the top, where they enter the water, how the feature is viewed from the house, and whether it complements the architecture and landscape.
3. Pickleball and Multi-Use Sports Courts
The pickleball court gives this backyard a major advantage: it provides something to do outside of the pool.
Arizona backyards should not be planned only around the hottest months of the year. A pool may be a central feature, but the rest of the property should remain useful during cooler seasons and when people do not want to swim.
A dedicated sports court can be configured for:
Pickleball
Basketball
Tennis practice
Volleyball
Athletic training
General recreation
Multiple sports within one court
A backyard sports court may be a strong choice for:
Active families
Homeowners who already play regularly
Children involved in sports
People who entertain large groups
Properties with enough room to separate active and quiet areas
Homeowners who want year-round backyard use
It may not be the best allocation of space for:
Homeowners who rarely play sports
Smaller properties
Families who would use a lawn, garden, guest house, or lounge area more often
Lots where court lighting or sound could become a concern
A sports court should be considered early in the planning process. Its orientation, fencing, lighting, drainage, and relationship to neighboring properties can all affect the final layout.
It should also be placed thoughtfully so that balls, noise, and active play do not interfere with relaxing poolside areas.
4. Sunken Lounges and Conversation Areas
Not every important backyard amenity has to be active.
A sunken lounge or conversation area gives family members and guests a place to gather, relax, and participate even when they are not swimming or playing sports.
These areas may include:
Built-in seating
A fire pit or fire table
Poolside views
Decorative lighting
Shade
Outdoor audio
Beverage or dining surfaces
A sunken lounge can also help define separate zones within a large yard. The pool may be the active center, while the lounge becomes the social center.
These spaces work especially well for:
Evening gatherings
Adult entertaining
Families with swimmers and non-swimmers
Properties that need distinct activity zones
Homeowners who want a more intimate outdoor room
However, sunken areas require careful planning. Drainage, step visibility, access, and long-term usability are all important. Homeowners should also consider whether guests with limited mobility will be able to use the space comfortably.
A beautiful feature should still function safely and conveniently.
5. Shade Structures, Cabanas, and Ramadas
In Arizona, shade is not an optional finishing touch. It is one of the most important parts of a usable backyard.
A pool may help people cool off, but much of the time spent outside happens around the pool rather than in it. Without shade, seating areas, kitchens, bars, and gathering spaces may be uncomfortable during large portions of the year.
Shade options include:
Solid-roof patios
Pergolas
Ramadas
Cabanas
Cantilever structures
Retractable shade
Covered outdoor kitchens
Poolside pavilions
The right choice depends on how the space will be used.
Consider whether you need:
Full shade or filtered light
Protection from rain
Space for dining
A covered outdoor kitchen
A poolside lounge
A structure attached to the house
A separate destination deeper in the yard
Large properties may benefit from several shade destinations instead of one oversized patio. This allows people to gather near the pool, sports court, play area, or outdoor kitchen without everyone being concentrated in one location.
6. Outdoor Bars and Kitchens
An outdoor bar or kitchen can transform a backyard from a recreational space into a true entertaining environment.
The more amenities a property has, the more important food and beverage service becomes. Guests should not have to walk through the house every time they need a drink, snack, or meal.
An outdoor kitchen may include:
Grill
Refrigerator
Sink
Ice maker
Storage
Pizza oven
Smoker
Bar seating
Television
Serving counter
However, not every homeowner needs a fully equipped outdoor kitchen.
A complete kitchen may make sense when:
The family cooks outside frequently
The property hosts large gatherings
The outdoor area is far from the indoor kitchen
The homeowners want the yard to function independently from the house
A smaller bar or beverage station may be enough when:
Grilling is occasional
Indoor food preparation is nearby
The homeowners mainly need drinks and storage
More space should remain available for seating
The right design should reflect actual habits, not simply the longest possible appliance list.
7. Turf and Flexible Open Space
Specialty amenities are exciting, but flexible space can be one of the most useful parts of a backyard.
Synthetic turf or another open recreation surface can support:
Children’s play
Pet use
Informal sports
Event seating
Lounge furniture
Yard games
Overflow during gatherings
Future changes in how the property is used
Unlike a permanent court, pool, or structure, open turf can serve different purposes from one day to the next.
This may be especially valuable for families whose needs will change over time. A play area used by younger children today could later become a place for games, events, fitness, or additional seating.
The best backyard plans usually include a balance between highly programmed spaces and flexible areas.
8. Play Structures and Children’s Zones
For families with younger children, a play structure can make the backyard more engaging and encourage outdoor activity.
Options may include:
Climbing structures
Swings
Slides
Playhouses
Trampolines
Sand areas
Splash features
Integrated towers
Before adding one, homeowners should consider how long it will realistically be used and whether the area can be repurposed later.
Helpful questions include:
Can the play area be seen from the house?
Is it close enough to adult seating for supervision?
Will it interfere with quieter areas?
Can the ground surface handle heavy use?
Could the space become something else in the future?
Does the structure complement the overall landscape?
A large play structure can be an excellent amenity, but it should still feel like part of the backyard rather than an unrelated object placed in an open corner.
9. Fire Features
Fire features bring warmth, movement, and atmosphere to an outdoor space.
They can also extend the usability of the backyard during cooler Arizona evenings.
Popular options include:
Fire pits
Fire bowls
Linear fire features
Fireplaces
Fire-and-water combinations
Sunken fire lounges
A fire feature may function as the center of a gathering area or as a visual accent viewed from inside the house.
Fire features may be especially valuable for:
Evening entertaining
Cooler-season use
Creating a visual focal point
Separating adult gathering areas from active recreation zones
Adding warmth near poolside seating
The scale should match the space. A small conversation area may only need a compact fire table, while a large property may support a dramatic linear fire feature or custom fireplace.
10. Water Features Beyond the Pool
A water-park-inspired backyard may include active water features, but smaller decorative elements can also transform the atmosphere.
Options include:
Waterfalls
Bubblers
Deck jets
Laminars
Sheer descents
Spillways
Fountains
Reflecting pools
Rain curtains
These features can contribute:
Sound
Movement
Visual interest
A resort atmosphere
Separation between spaces
Relief from surrounding noise
Some water features are meant to be used. Others are meant to be experienced visually and acoustically.
That distinction matters. A homeowner looking for playful family recreation may prioritize jets, slides, or splash elements. Someone wanting a quiet retreat may prefer a subtle fountain or wall of moving water.
11. Landscape Lighting
The nighttime view of this Scottsdale backyard shows how lighting can bring multiple amenities together.
During the day, a large property may feel like a collection of separate areas. At night, a coordinated lighting plan creates continuity and makes the entire environment feel intentional.
A complete lighting plan may include:
Pool and spa lighting
Step lights
Path lights
Tree uplighting
Pergola lighting
Under-counter lighting
Fire-feature lighting
Sports-court lighting
Play-area lighting
Architectural accents
Lighting supports three important goals:
Safety
Steps, elevation changes, water edges, and walkways should remain visible.
Usability
The pool, court, kitchen, and gathering spaces should continue functioning after sunset.
Atmosphere
Lighting can emphasize trees, architecture, water movement, and textures that may not stand out during the day.
Lighting should be planned alongside the landscape—not added as an afterthought once construction is nearly complete.
How to Choose the Right Backyard Amenities
Looking at a project with a lazy river, custom slide, sports court, play structure, turf, shade, and entertainment areas can make it tempting to want everything.
However, the right amenity mix depends on the property and the homeowner.
Before finalizing a wish list, ask the following questions.
Who Will Use the Backyard?
Think beyond the immediate household.
Will the property regularly host:
Young children?
Teenagers?
Adult friends?
Extended family?
Athletes?
Pets?
Large parties?
A backyard designed primarily for young children will look different from one designed for adult entertaining or quiet relaxation.
What Will People Do Outside the Pool?
This is one of the most important planning questions. Marty highlights that homeowners may spend a significant amount of time outside the water—training, playing pickleball or basketball, gathering, eating, or relaxing.
A pool-only design can feel incomplete if there are no comfortable places to sit, eat, gather, play, or escape the sun.
Which Features Will Be Used Most Often?
An amenity can be visually impressive and still be a poor investment of space if the family rarely uses it.
Consider the difference between something that will be used:
Every day
Every weekend
Only during parties
Only during one season
Only for a few years
Frequently used features should generally receive priority.
Which Amenities Require Dedicated Space?
Some features are flexible. Others permanently shape the property.
A lazy river, sports court, large outdoor kitchen, or play tower requires dedicated space and strongly influences the overall layout.
Turf, movable seating, and open gathering areas can adapt more easily over time.
The more permanent the feature, the more carefully it should be evaluated.
What Can Be Used Year-Round?
Arizona summers make pools especially valuable, but the yard should also work during cooler months.
Year-round amenities may include:
Sports courts
Outdoor kitchens
Fire features
Turf
Covered lounges
Dining areas
Gardens
Fitness spaces
A balanced backyard includes experiences both in and out of the water.
How Much Maintenance Is Appropriate?
Every feature affects long-term care.
Homeowners should consider the maintenance associated with:
Pool equipment
Water features
Outdoor appliances
Court surfaces
Landscape material
Lighting
Turf
Play equipment
Shade structures
The right backyard should feel exciting to use—not overwhelming to maintain.
Can All the Spaces Work Together?
This may be the most important question of all.
A luxury backyard should not feel like several unrelated features placed next to one another.
The pool, sports court, shade structures, bar, turf, landscaping, lighting, and circulation should feel like one complete environment.
That requires planning sightlines, movement, spacing, elevation, safety, and architectural style before construction begins.
Design the Backyard Around Your Life
The Scottsdale backyard shown here demonstrates how many different experiences can be brought together on one property.
A lazy river creates a private resort experience. A custom slide adds excitement. A pickleball court supports year-round recreation. Shade structures and gathering areas make the yard more comfortable. Turf and play spaces give families flexibility. Lighting allows the entire environment to come alive at night.
But the goal is not to recreate this exact backyard.
Your property may need a completely different combination of amenities.
The strongest designs begin with an understanding of how the homeowners live, what they enjoy, who they entertain, and which features will continue providing value over time.
At Botanist of the Valley, we design complete outdoor environments around the people who will use them. Whether your vision includes a custom pool, lazy river, sports court, outdoor kitchen, shaded lounge, fire feature, or a thoughtful combination of amenities, our team can help turn that wish list into a cohesive plan.
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