Playgrounds provide children the opportunity to develop and practice key social, emotional, cognitive and physical skills. In order for this development to occur, playgrounds need to be a safe environment for kids to play freely. As temperatures increase during warmer months, a well-designed playspace and quality material selection can ensure a safe space for the fun to continue! Consider the following design considerations when creating your park or playspace to keep playgrounds cool during warmer weather:
Incorporate Shade
Including shade into a play space provides critical protection from the sun while reducing playground heat effects! SkyWays® commercial playground shade is designed to block up to 97 percent of the sun’s UV rays and keep playground temperatures up to 30 degrees cooler.
Integrated Shade can be added into the playspace with the PlayBooster® product line utilizing the same posts as the play equipment. This is a great solution for including shade directly into a site without interfering with play by removing the need for additional bulky support posts.
Freestanding Shade can be utilized to cover the playground overhead or designated areas with stand-alone support posts. This is a great option to provide shade over the entire playspace or create covered seating and rest areas near the playground for caretakers.
It is important to note that shade must meet a minimum height over the highest part of the playground to ensure safety standards are met, and children cannot reach the shade overhead. Our design team provides guidance on ensuring safety standards are met for all shade installations as well as where shade is placed. Where the sun sets and rises as well as what time of day the play space will be most utilized are key factors for determining final placement to create the most impactful shade.
Choose Lighter Color Playground Components and Darker Color Shade
When it comes to keeping play spaces cool, materials matter! When choosing colors for equipment or site furnishings, consider the fact that darker colors absorb heat, while lighter colors reflect it. When selecting playground components with high-touch points including slides, tunnels, and climbers, lighter colors are recommended. Conversely when selecting shade colors, darker colors absorb more heat reflecting less light elsewhere making darker shade more effective in reducing playground heat. In areas of high sun, we recommend choosing a plastic slide over a stainless steel slide to decrease surface temperature impacts.
Consider Recycled Plastic Lumber Over Wood
Recycled plastic lumber (RPL) is an excellent alternative to wood- especially in outdoor environments exposed to weather. This material can be utilized in a variety of areas throughout a park including seating, tables, or directly on the playground. RPL provides a natural aesthetic, including wood grain texture and color, while being warp resistant to extreme outdoor conditions.
Incorporate Water Play
Another great way to provide relief from the heat is through water play with either a splashpad or interactive water feature. From interactive fountains to dumping buckets and water slides, Aquatix® products create a wide range of experiences allowing the splash experience to be customized for each project. If looking to add water play experience on a smaller scale, explore our offerings of Cadron Creek Play’s Playground Pump Systems! From stand-alone pumps to tables and basins, these interactive water play systems can be customized to meet your project needs.
Don’t Forget About Site Amenities
Lastly, in addition to playgrounds – seating areas, restrooms, water fountains, and pavilions are important considerations to include in an overall design! Site amenities transform user experiences from a quick stop at the playground into a destination for play. By creating shaded seating or gathering spaces, you increase the comfort for those who visit and provide relief from playground heat effects, while increasing the time your community can enjoy your park!
Looking for playground or park inspiration? Explore our Project Portfolio:
