Les and Joanne LeFebvre of Rambling Drive in Westfield are among the participants in the July 11-12 Pioneer Valley Water Garden and Koi Club Pond Tour. Expect some delightful surprises that surround their five-level waterfall. (Photo by Lori Szepelak)
WESTFIELD – A 2-year-old, five-level waterfall has brought nature closer to Joanne and Les LeFebvre and they couldn’t be happier.
The couple, who live on Rambling Drive in Westfield, credit the creativity of Rick LaChance of Ponds of New England in Colrain for turning their backyard into a meditative oasis.
“Feeding the fish is the first thing I do in the morning and one of the last things I do at night,” said Joanne LeFebvre.
Les LeFebvre noted the added birdhouses, oriental grasses, succulents, and tunnel for the eight koi to hide in are unique features that have provided shade, safety, food and water to resident wildlife. In addition, an owl decoy watches over the koi which tends to intimidate birds of prey.
Tiny decorative ornaments adorn the koi pond. (Photo by Lori Szepelak)
“It is so peaceful here,” he said. “It is a good place to relax and watch the koi, hummingbirds, rabbits, and frogs.”
The couple are among more than a dozen area residents participating in the 22nd annual Pioneer Valley Water Garden and Koi Club Pond Tour, slated for July 11-12. The nonprofit group, with membership in western Massachusetts and northern Connecticut, focuses on bringing together individuals to share expertise, experiences, and a love of nature.
“The pond tour is the only water garden tour in the area,” said Eileen Richard, president of the club, who stopped by to visit the couple. “The self-directed tour includes many beautiful water gardens and koi ponds, each owned and maintained by our club members. There are unique and creative designs in waterfalls and ponds, gorgeous koi, and fantastic gardens.”
Tiny decorative ornaments adorn the koi pond. (Photo by Lori Szepelak)
After the couple completed their deck and adjoining boardwalk to their pool in 2012, they knew something was missing.
“I could visually see the garden design,” said Joanne LeFebvre.
“What makes the waterfall design unique is it is designed to flow under the boardwalk,” said Les LeFebvre.
Richard noted that people can make mistakes when starting garden ponds or water features, and taking the tour can be a good place to seek advice.
“If people want to have a pond, they can come and learn from our mistakes,” said Richard. “Others may just wish to take the tour to experience the amazing beauty of water gardens and koi.”
As the couple showed Richard around their grounds, tiny birds were landing on the fencing, rabbits were parading around the pool area, and the koi were looking for their evening meal.
“There is something about water that speaks to the soul of every living thing,” said Richard.
There are “rocks with character” that dot the landscape, all chosen by LaChance as part of the design. The koi were babies when the couple purchased them and they are now up to a foot in length, and are orange and black, yellow, and red and white. The couple added that baby frogs are also hidden among the rocks.
“Nature teaches them to stay out of sight until they are old enough,” said Joanne LeFebvre.
Before visitors move on to another site on the pond tour, the couple will also provide light refreshments on their deck.
Tickets are $20 per car for the tour and can be purchased at Dave’s Soda and Pet City, with locations in Agawam and Springfield, Anson’s Flower Farm & Nursery, Southwick, or Fields of Flowers, Westfield Home and Garden, and Picture Perfect Ponds, all in Westfield.
For more information on the pond tour and a complete list of locations to purchase tickets, visit www.pioneervalleypondclub.com. The tour will be conducted rain or shine.
Area residents also opening up their backyards to the tour include: Peter and Barbara Langmore of Blandford; Cindy and Richard Patnode and Jeff and Ruth Paquette, both of Westfield; Russ and Shari Wall of Southampton; Peter and Elaine Stassen of Feeding Hills; Ed and Kris Champigny of Agawam; Barbara Braem-Jensen and Bob Jensen of Southwick; Doug and Karen Parsons of Suffield, Conn.; Gary and Darlene Smith of West Springfield; Stephen A. Roberts, Wendy LaFond and Tom Blazejowski, and Chet and Irene Ratkiewicz, all of Chicopee; Steve and Cathy Knowles of South Hadley; Mickey and Ronnie Mathews of Belchertown; Greg and Gina Dauplaise of East Longmeadow, and Sue and Ken Gilbert of Palmer.
For Richard, who has shown her home during tours over the years, she too has a special connection to her backyard.
“In mornings my soul takes wing and like a butterfly I’m free,” she said, reciting a poem she wrote. “My mind can flitter from here to there, my eyes only goodness see.”
