The Beggining
This project was a unique opportunity. Ed Beaulieu, the Pond Professor, invited us to collaborate on a one-of-a-kind recreation pond in Corona, California, alongside Joey Genovese (Aquascape Artist of the Year), Mike Hiner, and Chuck Canton for Fox Terra Design.
We drove out to the site, and the first day was focused mainly on planning and coordination—walking the layout, reviewing elevations, and aligning on the overall vision for the build. With a project of this scale, getting everyone on the same page early is key. Only minor digging took place that day, as the priority was making sure everything was properly planned before moving forward.
Having this level of experience and knowledge come together on one project creates a strong foundation, allowing the build to move efficiently while maintaining a high level of craftsmanship.
The Challenge
oh boy—was the timeline. We had just 5 days to complete a 50′ x 22′, 4-foot-deep recreation pond using massive boulders ranging from 1–2 tons up to an 8-ton “big boy.” Projects at this scale are always demanding, especially when everything has to be coordinated ahead of time. Materials need to be on-site before the team arrives, and as expected, a few items came up short along the way.
Even with those challenges, the team stayed focused and pushed through. In the end, we completed the project with just a couple of hours to spare—right in time for Ed to catch his flight back to Chicago. It was a tight window, but a great example of what the right team can accomplish under pressure.
Our solution
Challenges are part of the process—we have the knowledge to solve them.
- Massive Boulders
The boulders for this feature were already on-site, as our client had sourced them ahead of time. Based on our calculations, the total came out to around 50 tons of stone. Having that volume of material available gave us the ability to work with larger pieces and create a more natural, bold look throughout the recreation pond.
- The New 2025 Wetland
This project gave us the chance to install the new 2025 Aquascape wetland filtration system with FilterBlox. As the first implementation of this system in California, it represents a major step forward in advanced, low-maintenance pond filtration.
- 3 SLD Pumps
The system is powered by three pumps—one dedicated to the wetland filter, one for water circulation and jets, and a third to increase waterfall flow. This configuration ensures proper filtration, strong circulation, and consistent waterfall performance.
- Many Tns Of Sand
To achieve a beach-like experience, we installed approximately 20 yards of sand across the entire bottom and created a gradual beach entry. This design gives the pond a natural shoreline feel, making it comfortable and inviting—just like being at the beach.
