Can you take a picture further back that actually shows the fencing?

Unless you have a fully functional need for a fence, I think landscaping would look much better. It would also likely be less maintenance and less expensive to put in. Bring photos to a good nursery for ideas on what works well in your area. I would use a combination of evergreen and deciduous shrubs.

Fencing may visually reduce the size of your yard, especially if you cannot place it alongside the sidewalk because of buried utilities and/or setback rules.

If you're only wanting to replace the wood fence with a green fence either Holly bushes or Aucuba bushes (Aucuba my personal preference) would keep their leaves (and attractive appearance) year round. There is also one variety of Abelia bushes that keep their leaves year round. Using one kind of shrub rather than a combination would give you a more uniform (and in my view a more attractive) appearance.

Caution notes:

... You need to know what, if anything is beneath any ground before you dig. Not only could you dig up existing utilities, but, should the utility company need to dig up their pipes and/or lines at some future date, they could well tear down any fence or dig up any green privacy hedge.

... Zoning rules change. Know those that apply to your neighborhood before removing the old fence, especially if you're going to delay replacing it, before investing in building a new fence.

If you choose to add a green privacy hedge, consider adding a short knee/retaining wall where your fence is now located. (pavers or brick or stone -- your option) This would not only enable you to level up several feet of that part of your yard between it and your home (at least just a bit), but it will give you a place to add fresh loose gardening soil for your green privacy hedge. A short knee/retaining wall could also help discouraging foot traffic from the sidewalk into your front yard between any shrubs you plant.

You could continue to keep the top of your knee wall (begun parallel to the sidewalk) level even as you turn the corner and build it along the left side your driveway -- at least until the top of the knee wall (parallel to your driveway) becomes ground level with the slope of your driveway. You could then continue outlining your driveway with the same bricks/pavers that serve as the top of your knee wall, placing them in the ground with their tops level with the ground as it slopes -- a visual outline to your driveway your mower could roll over.

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Alternately, if discouraging foot traffic accessing your yard from the sidewalk other than at your driveway were your only concern, a planting area parallel to your front sidewalk from where you now have a fence to the sidewalk covered in English ivy could discourage that -- but it could also kill the shrubs and trees it envelopes. Because English Ivy is considered an invasive plant so you'd want a parallel row (or two or three) of bricks or pavers (where your fence is now located) with their tops ground level to clearly define such a planting area and make sure you keep the lawn between the ivy and your home mowed so the ivy couldn't spread. Your driveway would stop the spread on the right side of your yard but you'd need to put a barrier (concrete or stone or brick) or slope that could be mowed on the left side of your yard as well in order to prevent it from spreading to the left.

Call a fence company and get some quotes on various kinds of fencing (cedar, grapestake, whatever is typically used in your area). If the quotes causes sticker shock, rethink the situation. You can also get a quote at the same time on replacing just the presumably rotted posts with metal posts if the rest of the fence is in pretty good shape. You can stain it darker or paint it to match the house, too.

thanks -- its actually the reverse situation where the panels are in terrible shape!

"Want some privacy, but go back and forth between just hedges and replacing the fence." Do you care about the image you present to the neighborhood? In the vast majority of cities, fences over a certain height (3' or 4') in the front yard are prohibited. Politicians can argue all day long about it being for safety but everyone else knows it's for appearance and no other reason. I'm surprised your city allows taller fences, but if they do, they do. Yet it gives the look of a back yard alleyway instead of a pleasant street. If you have any consideration for the neighbors, I'd suggest you opt for a hedge instead. It could at least look better.

I also think a hedge is the way to go, but to be honest I don't really see the need for privacy here especially since the fence provides none! We can still see all your first floor windows and much of your front yard.

I wouldn't go for hedges, but would use shrubs.

You've got the yard looking so much better! Keep up the good work and let it be open to the world :)

I don't think I would replace the fence with shrubs/hedges. I would remove the fence and keep the space wide open. You've got a nice sized front yard so the neighbors walking by won't be on your porch. Try living without the fence before putting the plants in.

No fence. Good grief. Your house sits up and off the street. I seriously doubt that people driving or walking by are trying to look in your windows.

No shrubs are necessary either.

Adding liriope or even a taller plant to outline your driveway on the right might enable you to remove the row of rocks there.

One afterthought (since you do indicate the front yard is for play): If you have small children or pets and there is any chance that they may follow a stray ball or other toss toy into the road, keep your fence at least until they're old enough to fully understand the danger.

Norma, I understand your need for privacy. Some people like wide open and some don't. I don't. I have never lived in a house without some kind of privacy. Heck presently we live on a private road with only 3 other houses all on one side of the road and a 44 acre field across the road. I still have tall grasses, arborvitaes, and flowering plants across the whole front of my yard. Shrubs (waiting to grow even taller) down along the sides.

I like fences similar to this one for a number of reasons.

http://www.aandjfencing.com/redwood-fencing/

The fence is solid where you would need it most for privacy.

The most visible boards are vertical, which look nicer than horizontal (less of a cage look).

The fence has a lattice or otherwise open space the top that would accord some privacy but not block all the breeze -- and provides a "finished" look to the fence;

It has a single solid horizontal board at the bottom between each post -- which you would want to be treated lumber. The bottom of a fence is usually the first to have problems. With a single horizontal board or, better yet a 4"x4" post, beneath the vertical boards, keeping that board treated (CWF) or painted and/or replaced as needed can extend the life of the fence overall.

Rose hedge or hydrangea hedge. Or look for easy care shrubs that are native to the area.

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This is all very helpful! Thanks everyone for taking the time to chime in!

Think about putting pachysandra in the strip between the walk and the street. It is pretty tough and will give you low maintenance greenery.

Selectively add evergreens of different sizes at the corner and around the front and side of the yard, but keep a few breaks for a vista.

More privacy in the back yard? Possibly better for a fence in the back.

You have a beautiful home that is " cheapened" by that fence. I would remove it pronto. After its removal you can assess how it feels without it. You can then decide if you need some privacy. I love the look that Decorenthusiast showed above. Wow!

I agree - that is lovely!

AH! Very nice - thank you!