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Longevity and Bridges: A Look at Lafayette Heritage Trail

A comparison of Lafayette Heritage Trail’s covered bridge and approach in 2014 and 2025, Lafayette Heritage Trail Park, Tallahassee, FL 2014 Photo credit: Lou Kellenberger 2025 Photo credit: Ryan Ketterman Photography Nature Bridges has been designing and constructing beautiful outdoor structures in sensitive environments since 1997, and we’ve always been proud of our durable, eco-friendly structures and our talent for connecting people with delicate natural habitats. Recently, we had the opportunity to look back at a project we completed in 2014. We build every project for durability, but we’re still always amazed at how stunning our construction looks and feels […]

Earth Day: Renewable Energy

This year’s Earth Day theme is “Our Power, Our Planet.” This theme focuses on the expansion of renewable energy, and it reminds us how important it is to consider sustainability. We can integrate these practices into everyday structures like bridges and boardwalks. One way we can do that is with solar lighting, which supports this vision and enhances the safety and security of our outdoor spaces. Solar Lighting: Sustainability, Safety, and Security Solar lighting is a key player as we work towards renewable energy in outdoor construction. It offers reliable, cost-effective, and environmentally friendly lighting solutions for outdoor structures such […]

Innovative Pavilion Designs for Parks

When you’re responsible for a park, creating an innovative and incredible experience for visitors can be complicated. One potential answer is to add pavilions. These versatile structures enhance both public and private parks and provide a sheltered space for outdoor events, picnics, and even community gatherings. When designing a pavilion, functionality and aesthetic appeal are both important, and innovative approaches can help balance community needs with the visual appeal of communal recreation spaces. Blending Functionality and Style The best pavilion designs harmonize with their surroundings, whether they’re nestled in a natural park or an urban public area. Architects can push […]

Beyond Bridges: Outdoor Structures

Bridges are a significant part of Nature Bridges’ portfolio, but we excel in the design and construction of a variety of other outdoor projects. These varied structures enhance landscapes and provide functional spaces for both public and private use. We craft pavilions, decks, and docks with the same attention to detail, commitment to sustainability, and passion for building. Centers of Community Gathering Pavilions are versatile structures. Whether they function as a retreat from the hustle of everyday life or a focal point for community gatherings, events, and recreation, Nature Bridges designs them to blend seamlessly with their surroundings. Every pavilion […]

Golfing and Construction: How Sustainable Bridges Enhance the Course

Modern golf course design incorporates environmental preservation into a design that improves your gameplay. Specialty bridges for golf courses are more than just functional paths to your next green; they preserve the landscape, protect sensitive areas like greens and waterways, and enhance your overall golfing experience. Preserving the Course’s Natural Beauty Golf courses are excellent sporting venues, but they’re so much more. These carefully designed ecosystems have water features, rolling greens, and trees. Constructing a sustainable golf cart bridge helps preserve this beauty while minimizing environmental impact. Golf cart bridges are strategically placed and designed to protect the water features […]

Dune Crossovers: Considerations for Your Walk to the Beach

A dune crossover plays a crucial role in preserving the fragile ecosystem of the dune and beach. These walkways ensure our stroll to one of our favorite summer destinations does not erode or damage the dunes, which are natural barriers against coastal erosion that also provide habitats for many ecologically sensitive species. The Importance of Dune Conservation Dunes are protective buffers between the ocean and inland areas, absorbing the impact of storms and high waves and preventing coastal erosion. They also provide a unique habitat for a diverse range of plants and animals. The preservation of these fascinating formations is […]

Innovative and Functional Shade Structures

Incorporating shade structures, like pavilions, gazebos, and trellises, into landscaping designs, do more than just provide shelter. They increase the functionality by providing comfort, especially in the heat. They also add aesthetic appeal with the right design and craftsmanship. These structures can be innovative hubs for social gatherings, or they can be tranquil retreats for personal relaxation. Either way, they effectively blend utility with artistic expressions. Importance of Shade Structures Shade structures are an essential component in landscape architecture for several reasons. They provide protection from harsh elements, including both sun and rain, making your outdoor spaces usable throughout the […]

Seasonal Blooms and Bridges: Landscaping Around Your Structure

There are many ways to enhance a structure’s aesthetic appeal and create a harmonious relationship with the natural environment. One of those ways is to integrate seasonal blooms and thoughtful landscaping. Whether you choose to preserve the existing plant life or add native species, landscaping is crucial to creating a visually stunning and ecologically balanced structure that seamlessly blends into its setting. Preserving Natural Plant Life The best starting point is often taking a look at the natural flora around a bridge or other structure. Top-down construction is one step towards preserving the existing trees, shrubs, and other plants, and […]

Celebrating Earth Month: Environmentally Conscious Bridge Building

This year’s Earth Month focus is Planet vs. Plastics, and it highlights the critical need to reduce plastic pollution. With bridge construction, this focus encourages us to take a closer look at how the industry can adapt, specifically regarding how to support environmental sustainability. It also urges us to see how we can minimize the use of plastics and use alternative, eco-friendly materials. Sustainable and Eco-Friendly Material Use A wide range of materials are used for bridge and boardwalk construction, and durable and environmentally friendly materials are crucial. Prime examples include recycled steel and sustainably sourced wood because these reduce […]

The Art of Creating Custom Pavilions and Gazebos

Creating pavilions and gazebos that merge seamlessly with their natural surroundings is both an art and a science. These projects require a nuanced understanding of design, materials, and the environment. It’s more than just erecting a structure; gazebo designers aim to craft spaces that enhance natural beauty while also providing an area that can be used for multiple purposes, such as private reflection and community gatherings. Designing with Nature In order to design the right pavilion or gazebo for a property, the designer first needs to understand the landscape. We consider the existing flora, fauna, and natural features of the […]