Photos by Dustin Bradford

The view coming down Bondad Hill on Highway 550 south of Durango is of typical Southwestern vegetation; scrub brush and dirt abound where the Florida and Animas Rivers meet. But hidden along the river bottom, just off the highway, is a miniature Eden created by Jeff and Sandy Kennedy. In the past four years, they have bought 15 acres and are in the process of turning the arid land into rich green meadowland interspersed with rock-lined gravel walkways, mulch beds and ponds. Property owner Jeff Kennedy, shown in front of his custom-made tepee, has a passion for landscaping. He and his wife Sandy continue to create beautiful spaces on their property south of Durango along the Florida River.

Jeff says that when they moved in, there was little more than sage brush. But he’s been landscaping since he was a child in Washington state, learning about plants from his grandmother. He originally bought four acres and immediately xeriscaped around his home using landscaping that needs no water. But “downstairs,” as he calls it, along the river bottom, about 50 feet below their home on the bluff, Jeff has planted drought-tolerant grass and mulched the native trees, using water from the Florida River, which borders his property.

Not content simply to landscape his land, Jeff thoroughly enjoys creating unusual items in the meadows. One meadow borders a large man-made pond filled with goldfish and koi. In another, an 18-foot tepee is permanently installed and includes a fire pit and Native American decorations. Jeff rushed home from work every evening (he owns Durango Car Care) to work on a labyrinth he fashioned in his south meadow. It is outlined in brick (some 2,500 of them) and lined with gravel. He used a complicated pattern, the same as exists in the Chartres Cathedral in France.

Jeff is full of imagination and has an eye for the unusual. He has bought three metal tower pieces, formerly chairlift towers in California. The largest one he has made into a central support for an octagonal roof shading a reception area with a fire pit and tables. He encased the tower in river rock and it is possible to climb up its interior to get a sweeping view of his land. Another portion of the chairlift tower might be used as a support for an aviary in the future. The third length of tower stands like a telephone pole. Jeff has installed a nest on top that he hopes will attract some bald eagles. So far, it has been visited by several birds, but none have established a home there yet.

Jeff’s land borders the Durango Nature Center on two sides. Though he has developed his land, he feels that he complements the Nature Center and also attracts many animals to his property. He often sees raccoons, skunks, deer, owls, Canada geese and foxes wandering across the land. Last year, there was even a mountain lion which lazed on a trail across the river for several hours. The Kennedys regularly go through 150 pounds of bird seed a week feeding their various animal visitors.

Word has spread of Jeff’s beautiful property and several couples have already gotten married there. Jeff is happy to have people use his land. In fact, he wants to make it more available to others and has applied for a seasonal use permit.

“My land is definitely a work in progress,” says Jeff, but it is evident that it is the process of development which fascinates him. So, as soon as these projects are finished, Jeff is sure to have others ready to begin on this wonderful property.