Pierce County Parks – Frontier Park Arena

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Pierce County Parks partnered with Shive-Hattery to design a 38,000-square-foot clear-span canopy over the western portion of the horse arena at Frontier Park in Graham, Washington. The new structure provides year-round protection from the elements while preserving the arena’s open-air character and flexibility for equestrian activities and community events.

Effective stormwater management was a key component of the design. Shive-Hattery developed a surface water infiltration system that captures runoff from roof downspouts and directs it to an underground infiltration gallery, helping maintain proper drainage throughout the arena. Additional enhancements included interior canopy lighting, a public address system, and bird deterrent measures to minimize nesting and reduce long-term maintenance requirements.

Designed to support future growth, the modular canopy system allows Pierce County to expand the covered area as needs evolve. Shive-Hattery also collaborated closely with the Fire Marshal to ensure code compliance, delivering a flexible, durable facility that will serve the community and equestrian users for years to come.