Backyard Bliss, by Design — Dover Pond Designer Named Best in North America
Jonathan Marston honored before 600 contractors at Aquascape's biennial Pondemonium conference in St. Charles, Illinois
DOVER, MA — Jonathan Marston's water features don't look built at all — they look discovered.
It's an illusion he's spent the last decade perfecting, and it's why the Dover-based designer just walked away with Aquascape, Inc.'s 2026 Artist of the Year Award, North America's top honor for water feature design.
The award, presented by Aquascape, Inc., North America's leading manufacturer of water gardens and ecosystem ponds, was announced August 15 at the company's biennial Pondemonium conference. More than 600 water feature contractors from across the continent and beyond packed the room in St. Charles, Illinois, to watch.
Marston, owner and lead designer of Dover-based FallingWater Scapes, LLC, was selected from hundreds of Certified Aquascape Contractors nationwide. The honor recognizes water feature professionals who combine technical mastery with genuine artistry — and a commitment to building ponds that don't just sit in a yard, but belong there.
That's Marston's specialty. His signature work weaves native New England stone ledges, thriving aquatic plant life, and crystal-clear ecosystem filtration into landscapes that look less designed than discovered — as if a stream had always run through the yard, waiting to be uncovered.
| "It is an incredible honor to receive this award at Pondemonium in front of such a passionate community of builders. Aquascape, Inc. has completely transformed the way we design and build water features. At FallingWater Scapes, our passion is creating peaceful, natural refuges where families can connect with nature right in their own backyards." — Jonathan Marston, Owner and Lead Designer, FallingWater Scapes, LLC |
Aquascape founder and CEO Greg Wittstock didn't hold back his praise, either.
| "Jonathan Marston exemplifies everything the Aquascape Artist of the Year Award stands for. Presenting this award in front of more than 600 of his peers at Pondemonium was a thrill. His attention to detail, deep understanding of natural stream dynamics, and ability to build custom ponds that look like Mother Nature placed them there herself is remarkable." — Greg Wittstock, Founder and CEO, Aquascape, Inc. |
A Portfolio Built on Balance
Marston's award-winning body of work spans residential and commercial ecosystem ponds, recreational swim ponds, and multi-tiered waterfalls installed throughout New England. Each project reflects the same underlying philosophy: water features should be as biologically self-sustaining as they are beautiful.
What Sets the Work Apart
| Ecosystem Balance | Advanced biological and mechanical filtration eliminates the need for harsh chemicals while creating genuine wildlife habitat. |
| Artistic Rockwork | Native boulders, ledges, and gravel courses are placed to mirror the natural streams and waterfalls of the New England landscape. |
| Industry Leadership | Recognized before 600-plus contractors at Pondemonium for advancing the trade through technical innovation and mentorship. |
Under Marston's leadership, FallingWater Scapes has grown into one of the premier custom water feature design-build firms in Massachusetts and across New England — proof that a backyard pond, done right, can feel like its own natural sanctuary. # # #
To learn more and view project portfolios go to www.fallingwaterscapes.com
About FallingWater Scapes, LLC
Based in Dover, Massachusetts, FallingWater Scapes, LLC is a premier custom water feature design and installation firm specializing in natural ecosystem ponds, recreation ponds, waterfalls, and streams. Owned and led by Jonathan Marston, the firm creates low-maintenance, self-sustaining biological aquatic sanctuaries throughout New England. For more information, visit www.fallingwaterscapes.com.
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