Today, Turtle Cove Playground at Roberts Point Park is a symbol of renewal and resilience, bringing joy and laughter back to the waterfront. When Hurricane Harvey struck Port Aransas, it damaged not only structures but the heart of the community—its public gathering spaces. What emerged wasn’t just a rebuilt play space, but a thoughtfully designed, community-driven destination that reflects the spirit, creativity, and resilience of Port Aransas.
What made this project truly special was the deep level of community involvement. Though Roberts Point Park sits at the heart of a bustling tourist destination, the design was driven by local voices. From the earliest planning stages, it was clear this wasn’t just about building an attraction—it was about honoring the role this space plays in everyday life for residents. The result is a playground that feels personal, rooted in place, and built for everyone.
Thomas Ondrias, Design & Sales Consultant, Kraftsman:
“This project was special to me on a personal level because it’s a park I regularly visit with my family. That connection gave me a real sense of pride and responsibility throughout the design process. When it’s a feature park in a place you’re personally tied to, it naturally carries more weight—you want every detail to be right.”
Bringing a Coastal Vision to Life
Kraftsman proudly partnered with the City of Port Aransas and Halff Associates to bring to life the one-of-a-kind Turtle Cove Playground at Roberts Point Park—a vibrant and inclusive destination designed to serve both the local community and families visiting the Gulf Coast.
This custom-designed, coastal-themed play environment reflects the character and natural beauty of Port Aransas. Key features include a custom lighthouse and ship play structure, interactive planetarium, zip line, turtle climbers, slides, swings, and water misters for cooling off in the Texas sun. The park also includes a custom pedestrian bridge, themed fencing, and natural boulders that blend seamlessly with the landscape, offering additional play and climbing elements. Custom-themed poured-in-place rubber surfacing was installed, offering a safe, accessible, and visually captivating play surface designed for a variety of fall heights. Every detail—from equipment to layout—was chosen to inspire creativity, promote inclusivity, and provide lasting value to the Port Aransas community.
Layne Olivo, PLA, LGPP, Landscape Architect, Halff:
We collaborated with Kraftsman from the initial design stages through the final construction. Throughout the process, Kraftsman demonstrated professionalism and was a pleasure to work with. The team provided expertise and creativity in every aspect of the design, from brainstorming ideas to implementation. They played a critical role in ensuring that the project met the client’s design requirements. One of the main design objectives was to create a park/playground accessible to the widest range of users, and Kraftsman’s knowledge of accessible play structures and design concepts was vital in achieving this goal. They excellently understood the unique needs of a coastal area and assisted in identifying a manufacturer with products suitable for the marine environment.
Weathering the Gulf: Smart Solutions for a Tough Environment
With the playground located just steps from the Gulf of Mexico, the coastal environment shaped every design and construction decision. Constant exposure to salt-laden air, high humidity, hurricane-force winds, and intense UV radiation demanded highly durable materials and thoughtful engineering.
Each component—marine-grade stainless steel, corrosion-resistant finishes, UV-stable plastics, and reinforced structural connections—was selected for long-term performance in harsh coastal conditions. Sustainably sourced Northern pine, treated with a long-lasting wood preservative, adds natural warmth and texture while maintaining structural integrity.
The proprietary surface treatment—a dual-layer system of galvanization and powder coating—was applied to carbon steel elements, providing unmatched protection against corrosion, increasing safety and visual appeal in a marine climate.
Colleen Simpson, Port Aransas Parks & Recreation Director:
“Working with Kraftsman was an outstanding experience from start to finish. Their professionalism and welcoming, family-driven approach made the entire process smooth and enjoyable. They paid close attention to every detail, offering thoughtful, inclusive design guidance that ensured our playscape would be a destination for people of all abilities and ages. Kraftsman’s team worked diligently to source the best materials and equipment, carefully considering the challenges of our harsh coastal environment. From the initial planning to installation and ongoing maintenance support, their commitment was clear at every step. We are proud to have a Kraftsman playscape and truly loved collaborating with their team to create something unique that our community will cherish for many years to come.”
Surfacing That Tells a Story
To enhance the park’s identity, custom-designed surfacing was developed using a poured-in-place TPV (Thermoplastic Vulcanizate) rubber. Created with a color mixer tool, the customer created unique color blends for each element of the design, including wave patterns and detailed sea life motifs like jellyfish, starfish, crabs, and schools of fish. The showpiece: a multi-colored turtle centerpiece with intricate line work, fin details, and a textured shell, ties the entire theme back to the Gulf.
Lasting Impressions: A Space to Play, Learn, and Belong
The Turtle Cove Playground is now a vibrant, inclusive, and enduring asset to Roberts Point Park—a place that invites imagination, encourages learning, and fosters connection for families across generations. It stands not only as a playground but as a testament to the strength of community and the power of thoughtful, resilient design.
