March 2026 Pool of the Month

When the pool is just the beginning

There are pool builders, and then there are people who happen to build pools. Drew Shepherd, owner of Magic Landscaping, falls firmly into the second category. With a landscaping career that began at age 11 and more than a decade of fiberglass pool installations behind him, Drew approaches every backyard project the way an artist approaches a canvas: with intention, with restraint and with a deep understanding that what surrounds the water matters just as much as the water itself.

This month, Leisure Pools is proud to spotlight Drew’s stunning installation of The Ultimate in Graphite Grey, located in Upper Saddle River, NJ.

From the outset, Drew is candid about what sets his work apart. His company brings something different to the table, which is a comprehensive skill set in designing, building and coaching clients through the creation of complete outdoor living environments. It is a philosophy so central to how he operates that he has made a deliberate decision to install only Leisure Pools, the brand he trusts exclusively for fiberglass pool installations.

Central to that approach is what he calls a furniture-first mentality. Rather than designing a patio and then figuring out what furniture fits, his team starts by determining what furniture groupings are needed and what will work best for the space, then designs the patio around them. It is a small philosophical shift with significant design implications, and it shows in the finished product.

His thinking extends to how elements relate to one another spatially. Drew coaches his clients to keep lounge chairs close to the pool rather than pulling them back, so the experience of the water stays present even when you are not in it. The fire pit follows the same logic, as it is positioned near the pool rather than across the yard, creating an immersive environment where every element draws you in rather than pulling you away.

The Upper Saddle River project was a new residential build, which provided a largely blank slate to work with, though it was not without its complications.

Significant slope variations across the property required retaining walls and grading solutions to establish a level, functional space. Optimizing the layout demanded precise planning to ensure the pool, lounge areas, and dining zones were positioned to maximize sunlight, comfort, and traffic flow. An existing deck on the property also had to be thoughtfully incorporated so that the finished design felt intentional from day one, as though it had always been meant to look exactly this way.

One recommendation Drew made early in the process proved especially impactful. He advised the homeowners to replace a window on the back of the house with a slider door, creating a direct visual and physical connection between the interior living space and the backyard. It is the kind of suggestion that goes well beyond the pool itself and is exactly the kind of thinking that defines his approach.

The solution across all these challenges was a combination of thoughtful drainage work, precise layout adjustments and high-quality materials throughout.

Built without shortcuts

Drew is equally particular about what happens below the surface. Trained by Jerry Menka, a highly regarded figure in the Leisure Pools world, he follows an installation process that leaves very little to chance.

Depending on ground conditions, his team digs and installs 12 to 16 inches of compacted, screened gravel as a base. The backfill around the pool shell is three-quarter clean gravel, never dirt. Every installation includes a hydrostatic port. The result is a pool that sits correctly the first time, with very little corrective work needed after the fact.

Coping selection is another area where Drew does not compromise. His preference is natural stone in pieces eight to ten feet in length, which minimizes the number of joints along the pool edge and produces a far cleaner, more refined finished look.

Features and finishes

The Ultimate is one of Leisure Pools’ most versatile models, and this installation takes full advantage of what it offers. The integrated hot tub provides a spa experience without the need for a separate structure, while the splash deck creates a comfortable wading area ideal for families. The deep end rounds out the pool’s range of uses.

The pool is outfitted with MicroBrite color-changing lights, a full automation system, a heater, and an air blower for a true spa experience in the hot tub. All equipment is premium Pentair products throughout.

Surrounding the pool, a custom Unilock Umbriano patio sets the tone for the space. Retaining walls manage the grade beautifully, and a fire pit positioned close to the water anchors the entertaining zone. Layered plantings throughout the landscape create a sense of privacy and seclusion, all thoughtfully composed to make a neighborhood backyard feel like a secluded retreat.

A resort in someone’s own backyard

The finished project is exactly what Drew set out to create: a cohesive outdoor environment where every element has a purpose and every detail reinforces the next. The stone, the fire, the water, the landscaping and the lighting come together at night into something that, by any honest description, looks like a resort.
That is not an accident. It is the result of a builder who has spent a lifetime refining his eye, listening to his clients and refusing to treat the pool as the only thing that matters.

Congratulations to Drew Shepherd on a truly exceptional installation, and to the homeowners on an outdoor space that delivers far more than they may have thought possible.

The Leisure Pools Pool of the Month program recognizes outstanding installations by dealers across North America. To learn more about The Ultimate or other Leisure Pools models, contact your local authorized dealer.