Keep it! Don't even rototill it. Just flip it as best you can so it's soil side up and put however much fill you'll still need over it. Six years ago, we stripped up our whole back lawn soon after we moved here. The grading was bad and it had to be redone. The guy who was doing the work had estimated $600 to dispose of it, so I had him move it to the back of the property and I flagged out a berm area. That berm is the best soil we have anywhere -- all that decomposed grass and roots mixed into the soil...digging in it is effortless. Definitely keep the sod! We call it the "turf berm".

Thank you for all the good ideas. I love the forums here for general tips and advice, but this is the first time I've posted anything. I think I'll start in approaching the new HOA board. They take over at the beginning of the year. One of the new members has a picture perfect lawn & garden. Hopefully she'll help. They had their house up for sale (we were very happy), but took it down with the real estate crash. The above-ground pool is against our deed restrictions. I think they have a higher chlorine content than actual pools. You could smell the chlorine standing near the fence. I think the issue is a mixture of both the chlorine and the extra water. Initially during hurricane season, the chlorine "burned" the grass in a very wide path down my backyard and all the way to the street. My trees showed the same "burn" pattern starting in the leaves of the lower branches then worked up to the top. My hibiscus looks scruffy now (it took two years for it to flourish). Even the sword fern that grows rampant took a hit from the run-over. Right now it stays soggy all the time (without much rain), but I don't smell the chlorine anymore. Clovers helped with the grass some (and weed competition), but HOA calls them weeds. Compost helped with the China Doll; it perked up. We've considered the French drain; we'd have to route about 70 feet to get to the street. I think a combo of french drain and water-loving plants may be the best bet. And to toxcrusadr, my shoulder devil was thinking large willow tree or pollen excessive species beside the fence would make the pool not worth the upkeep (seeing as it's removable). I need a good-sized tree in the backyard anyway. But they would probably find a way to successfully sue me!

I consider lilacs to be small trees. For starters, you might look at things like ornamental grasses. Many of these grow fast and give a nice air to the pool environment. Also check the the forum that applies to your geographical area as many of those folks are knowledgeable about specific plants for your area.

In a similar arrangement, roots would not be a problem. "Best" varieties are the one's that work for your functionality, artistic aesthetic and climate. This would be many varieties.