In 2010 the design team at Zerr Berg Architects joined forces with the City of Moorhead to replace a beloved park shelter that was no longer usable due to safety concerns. The team considered the volume of people and uses the shelter would see as well as its proximity to the flood-prone Red River. To create a lasting, low-maintenance structure concrete, piers and steel trusses were selected for construction. The materials can withstand the harsh temperatures and extreme winds of the local climate while also reducing the risk of decay due to flood waters.
The materials were first tested during construction when over nine feet of water flooded onto the site and receded without incident. The shelter is well loved and used by local families, community groups, and visiting sports teams. Its large capacity for seating, built-in bathrooms, water fountains, and grills allow for all of a group’s needs to be met under one roof. The building was selected as a North Dakota American Institute of Architects Honor Award winner in 2012.
