The Benefits of Shade Structures on Your Playground Installation
There’s something about running, jumping, and climbing that has always appealed to humans, and that instinct is doubly true for children. It’s no wonder, then, that one of the most timeless activities for a child is going to the playground. But one piece of equipment that isn’t quite as common as the swing or slide is something that should be on every playground: shade structures.
Think of any outdoor activity you love to do in the middle of summer. Hiking and running are fun. They get the blood pumping and keep you in shape, but you’d be lying if you said you didn’t need a respite from the heat every now and then. The same applies to playgrounds and the kids who get so much physical activity in while spending time there. Let’s take a break from the slides and monkey bars and examine the benefits of having shade in your playground installation.
Protection from Harmful UV Rays
Most people equate sunscreen with going to the beach, but the reality is that it’s recommended anywhere when spending time out in the sun—especially for children. Their skin is more sensitive than that of adults’, which makes them particularly susceptible to the harmful effect on ultraviolet radiation. Prolonged exposure to it can lead to sunburn. According to the Skin Cancer Foundation, a single blistering sunburn during childhood can increase someone’s chances of melanoma twofold.
In addition to sunburns, prolonged exposure to the sun can contribute to premature aging. When shade is available to take shelter in, about 97% of harmful UV rays are blocked. The playground shade structure is the unsung hero of safety equipment.
Enhancing Comfort and Playtime
As we said before, even the funnest summer activities require a break to cool off. When kids have a chance to literally chill out, their active time on the playground is made all the better. On hot days, temperature differences between shaded and unshaded spots can be significant—often up to twenty degrees fahrenheit. This is a particularly useful thing to know during the summer when playground heat can be unbearable. Kids can handle a lot, but even they have a point where they’re just too hot to enjoy themselves. With a shade structure, they can have a welcome break without their playground adventures ending entirely for the day. They can cool off, lower their heart rate, hydrate, and get back to the task at hand!
Preserving Playground Installation Equipment
Some shade structures aren’t standalone pieces of equipment reserved for breaks on the sideline, though. They can be part of the play equipment, too! You can install one atop the main rampart that provides access to the slide, or install one on each piece. While this provides shade in the midst of play, it’s also meant to protect the equipment itself.
Prolonged exposure to sunlight can cause damage to certain materials—plastic and rubber, to name a couple—over time. While one side effect of this may be fading colors, the more alarming consequences are fading, cracking, and brittleness. These can all contribute to the overall deterioration of the playground components, which means they won’t be nearly as safe for the children. For example, the plastic of a slide can can weaken, while rubber surfaces can crack and peel, creating potential hazards for any child who uses the equipment. If this happens, it often means costly repairs or the need for complete replacement of the affected pieces of equipment. Shade structures do their part to prevent this deterioration from happening, ensuring equipment longevity and child safety.
Encouraging Community Engagement
In addition to the children’s comfort and safety, shade structures also give parents a place to spend their time. After all, standing around in the hot sun with no oasis in sight doesn’t sound very fun, does it? In addition to that welcome comfort, these shaded areas become important gathering spots for anyone in the area. A well designed, shaded playground can become a focal point for interaction between parents who may otherwise never strike up a conversation with each other. When there are comfort options such as this, it’s a great idea to include the playground in community events. Imagine the kids having a blast on the swings, the parents having picnics and other gatherings nearby, and the welcome prospect of a cool break to tie the whole scene together. It may just seem like a cool canopy, but it can be a hub for community bonding.
Install a Playground Shade Structure Today!
If you want comfort, safety, and a sense of community on your playground, a shade structure is a simple yet effective way to bolster all of those things. By providing a cool break for kids and parents alike, the playground outings don’t have to be cut short because of the heat. At Metro Recreation, we’ll be happy to work with you and give your community playground the upgrade you all deserve. Get in touch and play on!
