Landscape Plan

I did the walk through on the new house the other day. There were not too many surprises, but one caught me off guard. Apparently, the Home Owners Association has a policy that requires owners landscape thier backyard within 180 days (six months) of buying the home. So it looks like my Christmas break from teaching will be busy. Additionally, I am required to present a plan to the HOA for any changes I intend to make. So, below is my drawing of what I hope to do (Jen has not yet seen and approved). Keep in mind my picture is upside down, so North is at the bottom and South at the top, East on the left and West on the right (for those like my granny who need to know where the sun will be at all times). Click on the image to enlarge it.

On the right I think we should pour cement to make a good utility entrance from the gate to the backyard. We can then store trash cans there or whatever. Entering the yard from the sliding glass door between the kitchen and family room you step out onto a cobble stone patio that follows most of the perimeter of the home. Directly ahead there is grass, lined by crushed rock so as to make mowing the lawn easier and to bring the whole yard together since the pond is also encircled by crushed rock that should be fine enough to walk on. There is mulch and shrubs between the crushed rock and grass, and on the other side of the crushed rock there is the pond complete with a waterfall that conceals a shed for outdoor toys or whatever else. The bridge and small gazebo adds a little more class to the pond, and on the other side of the pond would be a play area with little rubber pellets or something that is durable to play and fall on. We'll put in some prefabricated play set there. If you are sitting in the family room or working in the kitchen your line of view through the sliding glass door and windows goes directly to the gazebo, pond, and waterfall. On the other side of the yard we'll put in a raised garden, about three feet high to make it easier to maintain. It will be simple and small but nice to have. Below that there is a chunk of land I'm not too sure about. The AC sits there and right now I'm thinking we'll just hide lawn equipment back there underneath a low hanging extending awning to cast some shade/protection for the equipment. I'm not totally sold on that yet and don't know exactly what to do with that part of the yard. I'm soliciting suggestions here (add a comment below).