I would also say to keep an open mind about horsetail. My neighbor had this in San Diego in a sunny front yard and it was hardly watered. It did great there. Many others had them in the neighborhood and none of them were in ponds, just sandy front yards. Just because it grows great on riverbanks doesn't mean that is the only place it thrives.

I would give some serious thought as to using a spreading bamboo to help you with your obnoxious neighbors. An aggressively spreading bamboo that will eventually expand into their yard will not help the situation. If you put in a running bamboo, you really need to consider containment (both on your account and your ignorant neighbors). Some people contain runners by regular mowing, rhizome barriers, digging trenches and/or regular pruning of the rhizome--if all else fails you could always move. Keep in mind though that even bamboo will take a few years to take off and really establish a grove. Also, have you ever been in a mature bamboo grove of Phyllostachys? It's not like they are impenetrable to either dogs or humans--you could run through a grove of timber Phyllostachys as most of the foliage is well above your head. So, if you go with a running bamboo, I would suggest a medium or shorter growing bamboo--maybe Pseudosasa japonica. They form a nice hedge, are denser and even more manageable than the taller Phyllostachys. I have just started growing clumping bamboos (Fargesia and Borinda) but they seem to be much slower growing than Phyllostachys. Bamboo may be an option you you but there are others (Barberry for example). I personally don't like the Barberry for the thorns but a bit of research based on your growing conditions (sunlight, soil, etc) might yield alternatives to bamboo. I've used any of the following for "privacy hedges" with success: Photinia "red tip", Rhododendron, Holly, Canadian Hemlock, Privet, Boxwood, Taxus (yews), Magnolia grandiflora, in addition to Phyllostachys (vivax, viridis, nigra, and aurea) If the shrubs/trees you select are tall enough though they WILL help to cut down on the noise from your neighbors.

We have a neighbor who is very much a collector of "stuff". We also live in Southern Oregon where something called, well you know what I mean, is grown out of doors. We have planted a variety of evergreen trees and shrubs to block the view. The most successful and the fastest growing plant has been a laurel. Even the ones in the pots are doing better than other evergreens in the ground. We also have used Micchrorizea in everything we have planted. This has made a major difference in the growth pattern of these plants and trees. The variation of plants we have done will give a very nice backdrop to our "view". In the years to come the variation of greens will be fabulous to look at from our side of the fence. My husband staggered the holes, that makes a big difference in what the end result will look like. Good luck

You can also add an evergreen vine. My Bower Vine tends to grow fairly upright and not go past 4' in width, but it has pretty, shiny foliage and produces beautiful white flowers. Also, have you given any thought to a clumping bamboo? The running bamboo is certainly to big for your yard, but the clumping might be able to stay within the confines of your area.