Magical Water Gardens

By Linda Allen

TownLoafer Magazine, September 2006

I can still remember the first time I visited Wakoola Water Gardens. I had purchased a home here in Cumming which came complete with an 8,000 gallon Koi pond and waterfall in the backyard. I had never heard of Koi (a beautiful, bright colored fish pronounced like coy), but was amazed with their beauty as well as the serenity the pond added to my backyard. Then spring came and my beautiful pond was quick to turn green. I couldn’t even see the fish any more!

For the next year, I scoured the internet for information and visited stores near and far that claimed to have “expert knowledge” in the decorative pond industry. Thousands of dollars later, I still had a green pond.

Eventually, I found a place called Wakoola Water Gardens located right around the corner from my home. Again, claiming to have “expert knowledge” in the pond industry, I was a little sceptical, but hopped right into my car and drove straight there.

I couldn’t believe my eyes when I arrived! Located off the beaten path, what seemed like somewhere in the middle of nowhere to me, was this very large cabin-like building with a pond in the back the size of my entire yard. Not only was their pond huge in comparison to mine, it had all sorts of unique fountains, plants, waterfalls, rocks and most importantly, clear water! I simply couldn’t believe my eyes.

Surrounding the pond were more ponds and a decorative walkway which allowed me to take in the view from every angle imaginable. The landscaping throughout their property was exquisite. Waterfall after waterfall, outdoor decorations, sitting areas, plants I’ve never seen, there was so much to take in! “This place is more like a botanical garden than a retail store,” I thought to myself.

Once I gathered my wits about myself, I met with the owners and employees of Wakoola to discuss the problems with my pond. They were quick to come up with cost effective solutions and explained why my previous attempts failed. I implemented their suggestions and have had a clear pond ever since.

Wakoola had only opened their doors 1 year prior to me finding them; however, their parent company, Allgood Outdoors, has been in the landscaping industry and building water features for 25 years.

Allgood Outdoors, owned by landscape architect, Cla Allgood, specializes in unique landscape installations for both residential and commercial properties.

Staffed with a team of both landscape architects and designers, Allgood is contracted by businesses and resorts all across the southeastern states to build beautiful outdoor areas.

In 1993, Cla and his wife, Janet, started researching the possibilities of opening a water garden retail store. They met with other retailers in the industry as far away as Nevada and Texas.

Taking 2 years to build, Wakoola Water Gardens opened their doors the winter of 2001. What ties the two businesses together making them so unique is that Wakoola was designed by Allgood’s architects and designers. What better place for Allgood to “show off their stuff”, than at Wakoola! So, not only is Wakoola a retail store specializing in water gardens, but a living portfolio for Allgood Outdoors exhibiting the magic they can perform in most any yard.

In addition to the amazing grounds, Wakoola has a gift shop full of landscaping décor, including outdoor furniture, sure to spice up any outdoor area. Janet spends countless hours researching new and exciting products, from glass blown bird feeders to statuary to fountains in order to keep Wakoola’s inventory fresh.

Did I mention they also hold seminars open to the public?

Whether you’re interested in adding a water feature to your yard, looking for unique décor, or simply want to take a stroll in a beautiful garden, I encourage you to stop by Wakoola and experience my excitement and admiration first hand.