4 benefits of adding shade to playgrounds

The National Program for Playground Safety (NPPS) conducted a study on the availability of shade structures and sun protection on playgrounds. It was found that from 10 am to 2 pm, which is the hottest time of the day, only 3 percent of the playgrounds had full protection, while 30 percent were partially protected. Unfortunately, this meant that 67 percent of the public playgrounds were completely exposed to the harsh sun. Shade structures at playgrounds provide protection from the sun and keep children’s bodies cooler, allowing them to play for longer periods of time without the risk of overheating. Poggesi believes it is imperative to install shade structures at playgrounds and outlines the benefits below:

Protecting children from UV rays

Studies have shown that a prolonged exposure to UV rays can increase the risk of skin cancers. Children are at the playground most often between 10 am to 2 pm, which is when the sun is at its highest intensity. Parents protect their children with protective clothing and by applying a sunscreen of at least 30 SPF. However, schools, landscapers, and playground designers also have a responsibility to install proper shade structures to parks and playgrounds for the safety of our children.

The American Academy of Dermatology Association (AAD) Shade Structure Grant also provides grants of up to $8000 to nonprofits and schools to erect permanent shade structures at their premises.

Prolonging the life of outdoor play equipment

Shade structures protect playground equipment from sun exposure and damage thereby, reducing the need for maintenance and repairs. The intense heat of the sun can weaken plastic and corrode metal, reducing the longevity of the playground equipment substantially and being a safety hazard for the children.

The playground equipment, especially metal, can also overheat during the hottest part of the day, resulting in burns and injuries for the children playing. This is prevalent in winter, too, when equipment has been exposed to the sun for long enough.

All-weather protection

While shade structures provide excellent protection from the sun and heat, there are certain structures that offer all-weather protection too. Poggesi offers a range of waterproof shading structures for protection from the sun, rain, hail, and strong winds.

Improving the look of your space

Apart from protection and functionality, shade structure from Poggesi can enhance the aesthetics of a park or playground. We offer a range of brightly-colored shade sails and shade cloths that are unique and visually appealing. We can also customize shade sails based on specific color combinations and patterns that align with the look of the facility. Some of the most popular shades for playgrounds are:

Thus, adding shade structures to a playground or park can result in several benefits, the most important being the safety of our children. Contact Poggesi for a quote on our range of playground shade structures today!