ShadeLA Installed Sails in Exposition Park
The project provided heat relief for visitors during a 103-degree day.
Updated on Oct. 9, 2026 in Severe Weather
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ShadeLA installed five cloth sails in Los Angeles to provide protection from the sun. The project offered relief to pedestrians during a recent 103-degree heat wave.
Why it matters
The initiative aims to shield the public from intense sun exposure in urban areas. It represents a new collaboration between major local institutions to address rising heat risks.
The installations include five red and yellow sails positioned between the Coliseum and the Lucas Museum of Narrative Art. The area reached a peak temperature of 103 degrees during the recent heat event.
The players
ShadeLA
This is a year-old collaborative initiative led by UCLA and USC that partners with Los Angeles city and county officials to mitigate sun exposure.
UCLA
The University of California, Los Angeles is a prominent public research institution that co-leads the ShadeLA partnership.
USC
The University of Southern California is a major private research university that co-leads the ShadeLA project and hosted the Homecoming game.
The details
The project involved stringing five red and yellow cloth sails between existing streetlights in Exposition Park. This infrastructure was deployed by a year-old collaboration involving UCLA and USC.
Timeline
The USC Homecoming game and heat event occurred in October 2026.
Seasonal Patterns
This installation follows the collaborative model established by the ShadeLA pilot program to address urban heat islands. It marks a departure from traditional permanent infrastructure by utilizing temporary cloth sails during peak heat cycles.
Visitors to Exposition Park can utilize the new shade structures to minimize direct sun exposure during high-temperature days. Residents should remain aware of official heat advisories when planning outdoor activities in the area.
The takeaway
Urban heat mitigation projects like this one highlight the growing importance of temporary shade solutions in public spaces. Residents can look for similar adaptive infrastructure as cities continue to address rising temperature trends.
Further reading
For more information on how the city handles heat events, visit the Severe Weather page.
Live Poll
Do you trust that temporary urban shade projects significantly improve comfort during extreme heat?
