Versatile Fabric Shade Structures

800.966.5005 | SunPorts.com | March 2013

Shades of Spring

Versatile Fabric Shade Structures
Made to Blend In or Stand Out

Martin Luther King, Jr. Sports Center

The Martin Luther King Jr. Sports Center in Arlington, Texas is part of the "Reserve at Arlington" - the first Audubon sanctioned sports center in the United States. The design and maintenance of the complex is dedicated to environmental sensitivity with builders utilizing recycled materials even during construction of the park.

Martin Luther King Jr Sports Complex

The 86 acre park features a baseball/softball complex, bike, hiking and nature trails, playgrounds and concessions. The City of Arlington has also been a huge advocate of the use of fabric shade structures and has aggressively worked towards providing shade for all playgrounds and ball fields throughout the city with MLK being no exception. The parks four separate ball fields utilize Wrap Around shade structures from Sun Ports to cover the dugouts and bleacher seating and there are several other types of structures throughout the park. Yet, perhaps the most eye-catching structures at the park are the two 30' x 40' custom Sahara structures that shade the playgrounds. Sun Ports Regional Sales Manager Robyn White notes that, "these are unique looking structures due to their conical shape and bright yellow fabrics. The City incorporated all natural Texas landscaping around the park which happened to attract a lot of butterflies. Because of the bright color and conical shape of these structures they fill up with butterflies during the spring which is quite a sight!" The City has been very happy with this design and has ordered an identical structure for another nearby park.

Trade Shows In Motion

We are looking forward to exhibiting once again at this year's annual Texas Recreation and Parks Society (TRAPS) Institute & Expo. The show takes place at the Lubbock Memorial Civic Center in Lubbock, Texas. Sun Ports will be in booth #22 during the March 7th trade show from 9am to 4pm. In addition to the show, the Expo features educational sessions featuring leaders from around the nation speaking on a variety of issues relating to park, recreation, and leisure services.

TRAPS collage

This year's theme is "Endless Horizons...Unlimited Vision" and we share that optimistic attitude about the recent growth in the Texas parks and recreation industry. We will have many photos of our projects on display and our sales people will be ready to discuss plans for your shade needs. See you all there!

More trade shows upcoming:

American Public Works Association in Las Vegas, Nevada on April 24th - 26th
Florida Association of Higher Education Facility Officers in Sarasota, Florida on May 15th - 17th

Encanterra by Trilogy, La Casa Playground

One of the more popular new communities south of Phoenix is the Encanterra by Trilogy, an Active Adult Lifestyle Community located in San Tan Valley, Arizona. The Encanterra country club features an award-winning desert golf course designed by PGA Tour legend Tom Lehman and a 60,000-square-foot Mediterranean-style clubhouse and recreation center with private tennis, fitness and spa facilities, three swimming pools, four restaurants and a large outdoor amphitheater.

shade structure

Not surprisingly, residents need plenty of shade in what is known as the "Valley of the Sun." Sun Ports recently added these Custom 6-Post Joined Sail fabric structures for the La Casa playground area next to the clubhouse. With very limited access, existing utilities, trees & shrubbery, and the odd shape of the play area it was a challenge for the company to design and install a structure that fit the clients' limited budget. After collaborating with Greey Pickett Landscape Architects on several design options it was agreed by all parties to install a structure that complemented the surrounding architecture and which appears to have been designed and installed specifically for the original amenities. The Terra Cotta and Arizona colored fabrics with brown steel columns span an area of 1,600 square feet and, most importantly, do not intrude on the play equipment underneath. With spring around the corner, there's surely to be plenty of safe fun in the sun in the valley!

Quick Links