Only you, your daughter and your family members can evaluate the correct decision in regards to choosing the zip line over the monkey bars. You know your kids and how they express themselves in an active outdoor area better than anybody. Zip lines are well loved by adults and kids alike. They attract a lot of attention, (ie, the neighborhood kids ) sometime even more than a trampoline, which is saying a lot. They (ziplines) do not provide the same type of physical challenges that monkey bars do , so if your daughter and or son is going onto gymnastics later on in their teens this may give you a little direction in your choice. Sandbox- In my experience they are highly usable elements. Often times it does not matter whether the box is filled with pea gravel or sand. It is simply the fun of digging. You can pick up an inexpensive 5 foot diameter plastic pool and fill it with play sand or safely bolt four 2x6 cedar boards together with a double bonded weed barrier cloth at the bottom. I do not like pea gravel as a safe flooring material under play sets as a personal choice, but it is accepted by the U.S. consumer safety commission. It has a very low safety rating plus it can become a lethal weapon if tempers flare up. An excerpt from a Kidspace Book : Choose A Safe Protective Play Surface Install a shock absorbing surface area under and around your play equipment . The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission ( www.cpsc.gov) suggests that a loose filled material such as cedar wood chips , engineered wood fiber ( EWF) or shredded recycled rubber mulch should be installed to a minimum maintained depth of 9 inches for areas that will support play equipment that is 8 feet high. For equipment that is 5 feet in height or less , 9 inches depth of sand or rounded pea gravel is suggested. Because of eventual settling , compaction and displacement it is suggested that the loose mulch surface material should be originally applied at 12 inches thick . Grass, artificial turf, and dirt are not considered protective surfacing and do not have the shock absorption integrity as a thick bed of chipped bark mulch. Carpeting and thin rubber mats are also not adequate protective surfacing. High density commercial rubber mats designed specifically for playgrounds are safe but should be fully researched and evaluated before using. Check their safety report information via the internet. Ground level equipment such as sandboxes , playhouses and other equipment that do not have any elevated play surface areas do not require any protective surfacing by code compliance , but play it safe and provide a safe cushioned surface for your loved ones. Edging- I would never recommend cobble stone. Kids are bound to fly off the swings and or run and fall. I often specify Trex ( plastic wood board ) or rubber bricks ( higher end ). Or if I am using rubber mats I don't use any border at all. Favorite type of mulch - play ground fiber. - call your local landscape supply store .

Difficult to say without actual eyes-on but possible I suppose that it might be of interest to both termites and carpenter ants. More importantly, that doesn't sound like a good location for storing composting materials at best - that close to the house/foundation/deck. That is never recommended. So I would definitely encourage you to move the stuff further away, out into the open air so the area can dry out under there and so be sprayed with termite killer if needed. It will also allow the compost to dry and air out and encourage the departure of any pests. Just something to consider. Dave

One of my favorite ornamentals is Golden Guinea vine, which has a growing habit more like a bush than a vine. It is very manageable, it will not get out of control, and it produces cheerful yellow flowers (which unfortunately do not last long). You might also think about a fruit tree, maybe a pomegranate or Gold Kist Apricot. Pomegranates grow exceptionally well in Southern California and produce attractive fiery-orange blossoms and attractively-shaped fruit. Even for someone who doesn't like eating pomegranates, this could still be a tree to consider purely for ornamental use. Pomegranate trees can tend to grow very bush-like though, and sometimes become overgrown, but they can easily be cut back. I mentioned the Gold Kist variety of apricot because it will still be an abundant fruit-producer with the lack of chill hours in your climate. You could also plant a seedless Satsuma tangerine tree. These don't get very big. The flavor can be variable though, depending on environmental factors and age of the tree (don't be disheartened if the fruits taste watery and bland the first year, the flavor really improves after many years). These are great for snacking and effortless to peel. A lemon tree is always nice to have too. What about planting a few rose bushes? Or if you really hate thorns there are some beautiful varieties of Camellias and Tree Peonies.

If you are in "desperate need of a landscape plan", then you are in desperate need of a landscape designer :-) Many designers will prepare a plan for you to be able to follow on your own as a DIY project, hiring out only those areas that may need a professional hand. You are just not going to get much of a detailed response/plan online that you will be able to follow well......too much infomation is lacking. But you can check wth local nurseries for recommendations, try Angie's List or similar clearinghouse or if in the US, see if there is a local chapter of the Association of Professional Lanscape Designers (APLD). You can prepare a landscape plan on your own but the learning curve is very high. Hiring a designer is really a very modest investment but one that will streamline the process and is most likely to generate a successful result. The primary expense associated with landscaping is in the materials and the labor involved, not with the design.