GuildWorks gives a California park its first shade

River Park in Petaluma, Calif., is transforming. Its inaugural structure is the peninsula’s first shaded area—there aren’t even any trees—underneath a shade sail array composed of diamond shapes and providing a covered area more than 70 feet in diameter. It rises 20 feet and was created by GuildWorks LLC of Portland, Ore.

“We see our arrays like open-air outdoor ballrooms and spaces,” says Mar Ricketts, GuildWorks principal.  “Architecture makes space a place and gives people a sense of being that helps craft a container for community events.”

The community gathering space was erected using not concrete footings but helical anchors installed down to 30 feet, with nine guylines. The lack of concrete enables it to be relocated or expanded in the future if necessary. The construction technique also provided the advantage of less disturbance to the natural site from heavy equipment and excavation as well as being cost-effective. Additional savings came from the efficiencies of using a repeating pattern, saving engineering and production time—but the aesthetics focus for the structure and park overall makes the locals the real winners.

The final park plan was set to be released to the public early in 2025, moving from the foundation’s “Dream It” phase to the “Build It” phase.

Project Title: The Petaluma River Park Shade Structure 

Location: Petaluma, Calif.

Fabrication, Project Management and Installation: GuildWorks LLC

Engineer: Trevor Blackann, Engineering Supervisor, GuildWorks LLC 

Design: Mar Ricketts, Sebastian Collet, GuildWorks LLC 

Other: CMG Landscape Architecture 

Fabric: Gale Commercial 95 340