LYNNFIELD — Gardening is a yearly activity for Mark and Nancy O’Sullivan, but since the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic, Mark said the couple wanted to tackle an extra challenge: A backyard waterfall.
According to Nancy, she and her husband started by looking at water features that birds can drink out of, but that idea turned into a pandemic project they now call “Victoria Falls.”
When the idea of a waterfall came to mind, Mark said he looked to buy one already built, but he and Nancy decided to customize their own to fit the image they had for their yard.
After months of planning and building, the waterfall now consists of about 12,000 pounds of stone, and the water flows at a speed of 60 gallons per minute.
As an engineer, Mark began the project by creating a blueprint and then “did everything from scratch.” He installed a water pump and ran a 130-foot power line from his garage to the waterfall in the back of the yard. He also built a control panel inside the shed to turn the water and lights on and off. The system also includes a filter to remove algae and a backwash feature.
There are two tanks in the ground: one is a filter for leaves and debris and the other is the 250-gallon main recirculation tank. The “pond” at the base of the waterfall is filled with river rocks, so Mark said there are no worries about mosquitos or fish feeding.
The waterfall is surrounded by flowers, which the couple planted, and Nancy said that, between the garden and waterfall, “it is a beautiful sight.”
A project like this isn’t cheap, but Mark said since they could afford to do it and had the time to, it was “worth it.”
“As a retired environmental engineer, I have turned my attention to creating beautiful landscapes,” Mark said. “Armed with horticultural and architectural skills, I can visualize how to transform an ordinary space into joy. Using innovative perennials, which thrive in this climate, I try to have constant color and interest from spring into fall.”
Mark and Nancy had to put the pump away during the winter, but they said they are planning on turning “Victoria Falls” back on in a few weeks.
The couple said their friends love the waterfall and the soothing sounds it provides.
“It’s really something,” Nancy said. “I’m so proud of him for doing it, and I just want to share it with everyone.”
