“Can we play hockey on it?!”, “Is it going to be filled with water lilies?”  Originally our clients were looking for a conventional swimming pool, but after meeting with local contractors, reviewing costs and ongoing maintenance they began to rethink their direction. This is where Green Slate stepped in. After a chance introduction and upon learning how an Organic Swimming Pool could fit within their lifestyle even more effectively than a traditional pool our homeowners were ready to take the plunge and invest in an Organic Swimming Pool for their family.

With a directive for flowing clean lines, lush greenery (but not too much) and a quest to create a north shore theme we set out to build Minnesota’s first Organic Pool. Using local Glacial Granite till, Corinthian Granite steps, and River Jacks as a foundation for constructing our pool walls, steps, wading zone and regeneration zones. We then set out to soften all of these hardscape elements using native aquatic and semi-aquatic or marginal plants with our native Scour Rush (Equisetum hyemale) as our base plant. The vibrant green, vertical growth of Scour Rush is a wonderful contrast to the bold colors and smooth textures of the granite hardscape. Now our homeowners are able to enjoy swimming in clean, chemical free water all summer while skating throughout the winter.