As summer winds down, many municipalities are finalizing their plans for spring installations before winter begins. Fall is the perfect time to make decisions on park improvements and get at the top of installers’ lists for 2026, before the order rush at the beginning of the year. In our last blog, we recommended some key amenities for comfort and functionality, and one of our top suggestions is shade. Structures like gazebos and pergolas are practical pieces of architecture that offer a lasting impact on comfort, aesthetics, and usability. Like all important amenities, these shelters are more than just attractive decorations; they’re effective architectural elements that enhance your community spaces year-round. If you’re curious about gazebos and pergolas, we’ll break down the difference between the two and their benefits in this blog.
Shelter, Shade, and Comfort
Gazebos and pergolas provide many practical benefits, primarily providing shade during hot months and shelter during rain. These benefits extend to improve your park overall by increasing usability and encouraging gatherings. Pergolas are usually smaller, box-shaped, and allow light in while still blocking the strongest rays from the sun, like sitting under the shade of a tree. They offer a more open and airy space. You can even add climbing plants, vines, or string lights to create a cozy look. Gazebos are larger, often octagonal, and provide full coverage from the elements. They provide a comprehensive shelter, great for relaxing, holding small events, or having a meal. Both provide accessibility and comfort for all ages, making them fantastic essentials for inclusive park design.
Defining the Space: Form and Function
Shelters serve a secondary function in that they help guide the flow of parks and public gathering spaces. By intentionally placing gazebos and/or pergolas around your space, you can define different zones and subtly suggest their intended usage. Pergolas can be used to create small picnic areas, provide an area to relax, get some work done, or study, to sit and observe children at play, or to take a rest from working out. Both pergolas and gazebos make great complements to playgrounds, trails, or larger plazas. Gazebos provide a larger space that can be used to have a larger gathering, host an event, do group activities rain or shine, or get a quiet moment in a safe, contained area. As park professionals, we want to work with you and your vision for your park’s flow and what your community needs. Our designers can assist in thoughtfully placing shelters to improve traffic throughout the park and enhance visitors’ experiences.
Design Appeal and Architectural Character
A big part of visitor experience is park aesthetic. Parks that have features that are pleasing to look at create comfort and provide photo-worthy moments that will draw people in. The perfect gazebo could turn into your park’s focal point and heart of the landscape. When it comes to designing your gazebo or pergola, we have several different routes we can take. Whether you’re inspired by the surrounding area and want a natural style, or have a modern look in mind and want to make your structure pop, we can customize your piece to fit your needs and reflect your community’s character. We also have a wide range of prefabricated options if custom doesn’t interest you. Our shelter manufacturing partners are the most diverse in the industry, offering structures in laminated wood, steel, and fabric.
Versatility Across Spaces
With their ability to be customized to fit any need or footprint, gazebos and pergolas serve a wide range of settings. Parks, community centers, schools, recreation areas, faith centers, campgrounds, and even shopping areas can benefit from providing people with shelter. Not only do these structures support everyday use, but furnish the area with a place for special events like concerts, farmers’ markets, and weddings. An amenity like a gazebo pays for itself in the long term, by creating a place where the community can gather while bringing revenue into their local economy.
By providing a place for the community to come together, gazebos and pergolas are not just aesthetic upgrades, but essential elements that encourage gathering and enhance park usability. They provide accessibility and comfort, vital for protecting and including every member of your unique community. Explore MRC’s selection of park structures or reach out to us directly see how we can help you create welcoming, durably made spaces that connect communities.
