June 2022 - Parks & Recreation - 48

OPERATIONS
Shade Revitalizes West End Park
By Josh Gaunt
I
n 2018, an EF-3 tornado touched down on Marshalltown, Iowa, hitting
downtown and West End Park, devastating the area. An old shelter
was destroyed at the park during the event along with the majority
of trees that were there.
Two large cottonwood trees remained,
but the loss of the 20 other
older trees created a huge need for
a shade structure. Although many
trees have been replanted in the ensuing
years, there still isn't a lot of
shade in the park.
13th
Street
nonprofit
District,
a local
organization located
in Marshalltown, had started to
develop different community events
around the time of the tornado.
They were working with the city of
Marshalltown on replacing the old
shelter before the tornado hit.
" In the development plans for
the renovation of West End Park,
we discussed with the 13th Street
District how the park could be better
utilized for daily use, as well
as larger special events, " says City
of Marshalltown Parks and Recreation
Director Geoff Hubbard.
" That's when 13th Street District
reached out to Romtec to design
for us a shelter that could serve
both purposes. "
13th Street District purchased the
design and supply of the new custom
shelter for City of Marshalltown.
The custom pavilion is 25
by 30 feet, featuring a single-slope
roof and steel columns.
It works as a shade shelter
is used as an
daily, but also it
amphitheater for larger events.
Close to the shelter is a natural
play area, board walk and sidewalks
for accessibility.
" The shade structure allows patrons
playing in the futsal court or
in the park to get out of the sun, "
says Neil Dalal, 13th Street District
board member. " The structure being
much larger than the previous shelter,
an entire band can be under the
shade during the hot afternoon sun.
We also felt it would be a great spot
to start, end or take a break when
using the Iowa River's Edge Trail. "
This is a new trail that is .0.8 of a
mile away from West End Park and
will stretch 34 miles long.
" We have the Marshalltown
Municipal
Band perform there
weekly in the summertime, it was
basecamp for a futsal soccer camp
last summer, home for Yoga in the
Park, and has held several other
musical events, " Hubbard says. " It
has become the centerpiece of the
park and gets used on a daily basis.
The Romtec pavilion provides
that shade element that is currently
missing in most of the park. "
A single-slope shelter like this is
a great option for parks seeking a
low-cost amphitheater design that
also provides shade and cover.
" We were looking for a shelter
[that] looked modern, yet simple,
enhanced the park and was cost effective, "
Dalal says. " We had a set
max budget, which was using local
grant dollars and Romtec was able
to provide a shelter [that] fit our criteria
and budget. "
Future plans at the park call for
a concession building that includes
restrooms and serves as a tornado
shelter.
The goal of building the pavilion
was to bring people together in the
community as an amphitheater for
events while also providing shelter
for those enjoying the outdoor
park, trails and futsal facilities.
The newly renovated West End Park
includes sidewalks and boardwalks for
accessibility.
48 Parks & Recreation | JUNE 2 0 22 | PARK S ANDRECRE AT ION . OR G
Josh Gaunt is a Content Writer at
Romtec, Inc. (jgaunt@romtec.com).
PHOTO COURTESY OF JEREMIAH MURPHY, ROMTEC POST SALES
June 2022 - Parks & Recreation

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