| With parents and public officials recognizing the | | | | sails, and portable shade structures. Shade |
| dangers of ultraviolet radiation and burn hazards | | | | scaffolding can be constructed of fiberglass, PVC, |
| on playgrounds, particularly during summer | | | | or steel. Shade cloth that is dark and closely |
| months, shade projects in recreation areas are | | | | woven will block or absorb UV radiation better |
| finally receiving more attention and funding. Aside | | | | than lighter, more loosely woven shade fabrics. |
| from issues of ultraviolet skin damage are | | | | Fabrics should state the level of UV protection |
| concerns over playground equipment becoming | | | | they provide, and should provide the equivalent of |
| dangerously hot during the summer. Most people | | | | a Sun Protection Factor (SPF) of 15 or greater. |
| who grew up in the 1970s remember scorching | | | | Most artificial shade structures are made from |
| the backs of his or her legs at least once on a | | | | sheets of colored polyethylene attached to |
| playground slide. | | | | corrosion-resistant galvanized steel frames. They |
| If your local park or playground decides to | | | | come in different colors to coordinate with |
| undertake a shade program, the first step is to | | | | existing playground structures and are designed to |
| document the shade that is already there and find | | | | protect people on playgrounds from UV radiation |
| ways to work with it. Sometimes pruning | | | | and other weather elements. These structures |
| low-hanging branches can increase usable shady | | | | are designed to stand up to not only high winds, |
| areas, as can moving equipment and seating into | | | | but also local building codes. |
| shaded areas. Scattered shade works well in | | | | Children usually receive 80% of their lifetime sun |
| areas where children are active and running | | | | exposure before the age of 18. Sun damage |
| around. In areas where children are sitting in one | | | | during childhood increases the risk of developing |
| spot, or where they are playing in a confined | | | | skin cancer in adulthood. Protection from UV |
| area, more shade should be available. If your | | | | radiation on playgrounds and parks can make |
| community is interested in adding natural shade | | | | significant headway in preventing future cases of |
| instead of or along with artificial shade structures, | | | | skin cancer. In recent years, suppliers of shade |
| you'll need to assess the soil and other factors like | | | | structures have come to the forefront of |
| strong winds that will affect the selection of | | | | recreational design as people realize the health |
| species of shade trees. | | | | benefits and increased comfort that come from |
| In most cases, a combination of natural shade and | | | | adding shade to public spaces. And adding shade |
| artificial shade structures works best. Types of | | | | to existing playgrounds does not mean great |
| shade structures include permanent pergolas and | | | | expense and upheaval. |
| verandas, marquees and tents, awnings, shade | | | | |