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Ivan and Kathlyn Crisp hated looking out at the barren clay ground which surrounded their Strathfieldsaye home. They desperately wanted to replace it with a small area of instant lawn to improve the usability of their space for their three kids (aged 7, 8 and 10) and their Vision Australia foster dog Jessie, to run around on.
But what they ended up with was so much more than just grass.
They created a backyard.
After entering a recent Great Grass Giveaway on Facebook, the Crisps were lucky enough to score themselves 100m2 of our luscious Sir Walter DNA Certified Turf.
To be in the draw we simply asked people to post a photo and tell us how a new Coolabah Turf instant lawn would make their family happy.
According to Coolabah’s Suzie Shearer, we received an unbelievable amount of entries making it very difficult to pick a winner.
“There were so many deserving entrants, but we were incredibly touched by Kathlyn’s kind words and seeing her photo of those three gorgeous kids and their beautiful foster dog standing on nothing but dirt - well we just had to do something about that!” said Suzie.
“Sir Walter DNA Certified turf is the perfect residential lawn for active families and pets because it is low maintenance, hard wearing and has an amazing ability to self-repair.”
“We believe everyone has the right to a beautiful backyard and that turf is the foundation for a happy and healthy lifestyle.”
“At the height of COVID-19 when there was so much fear and anxiety brewing, we really wanted to give a family a reason to smile and provide them with a backyard that would improve their life, and this is exactly what we were able to achieve for the Crisps! We couldn’t be prouder!”
Ivan and Kathyn have been fostering puppies and dogs from Vision Australia for a number of years. Their current foster dog Jessie, is a beautiful natured breeding female and recently had a litter of pups.
“People often say to us how do you give the puppies up? But it has always been really important for us to teach the kids about the importance of helping others. They love the pups but understand the critical role we are playing and why it is necessary for them to go to a home that really needs them.” Ivan said.
“We get more from fostering from Vision Australia than we give,” added Kathlyn.
“For Jessie to be able to have her training on grass instead of the dirt is amazing and the fact that it is hyperallergic has made a huge difference to her overall health and minimised her allergies.”
Their new grass couldn’t have come at a better time for the family to create their own little sanctuary at home and has made life in isolation so much easier!
Not only did it give them a #iso project to work on together, with the kids helping to level and prep the site and Ivan laying the turf himself, but it has also opened up so many more options for other activities, connection and joy.
“Jessie loves sunning herself on the grass, our daughter enjoys lying on it while reading a book and one of our favourite pastimes as a family is to sit around the fire we have set up on stones so we don't wreck the grass!” said Ivan.
“Having one aspect of the yard looking so amazing has also inspired us to complete other outdoor projects. We still have a way to go but I have built a deck that you step off onto the grass and we also installed some garden beds with fruit trees including apples, pears and oranges that will hopefully provide us with a source of food for many years to come.”
Even just the sight of the grass has improved the overall look of their home and created a sense of calm.
“I don’t have a shed or a garage to escape to, so just to be able to sit down, have a beer and watch the sprinkler watering the lawn is my way to relax,” said Ivan.
“We can’t thank Coolabah Turf enough for our new lawn. We thought we’d still be looking outside at a dirt patch but now we have a real backyard for us all to enjoy and we absolutely love it!”
What have you been enjoying in your backyard during this pandemic? We’d love to hear about it!
