If you’re one of the sweltering many who love bringing the kids to the Shreveport Riverfront to play in the ‘dancing fountains’, this is very good news indeed.— Rotary Club of Shreveport on Tuesday, April 17, officially donated a trio of giant-sized architectural umbrellas to the City of Shreveport. The shade has been permanently installed in RiverView Park on the downtown Shreveport riverfront.
Mayor Ollie Tyler accepted the gift of the installation, given by the Rotary Club of Shreveport in support of the City of Shreveport’s downtown beautification initiatives and to commemorate the Club’s more than 100 years in downtown Shreveport and over a century of service to the community.
The contemporary white Birdair Architectural Umbrellas, which stand approximately 11 feet tall and 17 feet in diameter on the north side of RiverView Park, were selected to match the giant white awning positioned over the nearby RiverView Ampitheater. The umbrellas are intended for use by area residents, providing protection from sun and rain in a highly trafficked area of RiverView Park.
“We are so very grateful to the Rotary Club for their thoughtfulness in providing these umbrellas for the pleasure of our citizens and visitors,” said Mayor Tyler. “Partnerships like these help us make Shreveport a great place to live, work, and play.”
The umbrellas are constructed of premium grade components, including stainless steel hardware and waterproof, ultraviolet resistant, easy-to-clean canopies that each features a coverage area of 186 feet. They are constructed to be up year ‘round and withstand winds up to 90 miles per hour. Local contractors La DanCo, LLC and Brown Builders provided foundation and installation services. Aillet, Fenner, Jolly & McClelland, Inc. provided design and project management services.
“We wanted to commemorate our centennial and also give a beautiful, lasting gift to the community that everyone visiting RiverView Park, the Aquarium, Sci-Port and other area venues could enjoy,” said Francesca Benten Moreland, former Centennial President of Rotary Club of Shreveport and Partner at Williams Creative Group. “This installation accomplishes both.”
A bronze plaque has also been permanently installed at the site that details the dedication of the umbrellas, made possible by Rotary Club of Shreveport and Rotary Club of Shreveport Foundation.
Rotary Club of Shreveport supports the community through funding of select projects that benefit local area residents. With service as its core goal, Rotary Club of Shreveport was established and chartered with the International Association of Rotary Clubs in 1914.
Rotary Club of Shreveport is a member of Rotary International, an association of Rotary clubs throughout the world. Rotary is an organization of business and professional leaders united worldwide who provide humanitarian service, encourage high ethical standards in all vocations, work to eradicate polio worldwide and help build goodwill and peace in the world.
