Skip to content

The Need for Shade: Transforming School Playgrounds to Combat Heat

Home | Schools, Blog | The Need for Shade: Transforming School Playgrounds to Combat Heat

The Need for Shade in Schools

Schools face a number of challenges regarding more secure and functional infrastructure. One of these challenges is providing sufficient shade to address the danger of heat on school playgrounds. Thankfully, more states, school districts, school administrators and parents are recognizing the need for shade and transforming school playgrounds to combat heat.

Increasing shade in schoolyards and implementing green initiatives have become a significant focus for playground safety. One of the most effective ways for schools to transform playground areas and the problem of excessive heat is by installing shade structures. Shade structures provide an immediate and effective solution. Additionally, there are state-funded programs and other grants and initiatives that schools can use to fund shade structures where budget may be a concern.

Recognizing the Dangers of Hot Schoolyards

For her many years as both an educator and student at Southwark Elementary School in South Philadelphia, Natalie McHugh had not given much thought to the lack of trees and shade in the play area. However, a discussion with her principal and boss while she was monitoring recess changed her outlook and helped transform the school’s yard for the best.

McHugh’s efforts highlighted the need for more shade in schools and the urgency of the dangers associated with rising temperatures. While Southwark and several other Philadelphia schools worked with a nonprofit to combat the issue of asphalt playgrounds, more communities nationwide are in urgent need of solutions to the issue.

To cast out any doubts about the dangers of hot playgrounds and excessive heat exposure, Fox Weather investigated just how hot different playground equipment and surfaces get in the summer heat and discovered the following insights:

  • Rubber surfaces: 188 degrees Fahrenheit
  • Grass: 104 degrees Fahrenheit
  • Slides: 160 degrees Fahrenheit
  • Handrails and metal play steering wheels: 120 degrees Fahrenheit

Overall, playgrounds can reach a temperature of 189 degrees Fahrenheit, according to the National Program for Playground Safety. Some materials are more hazardous in the heat than others. Uncoated metal equipment, ark-colored plastics, rubber, asphalt and concrete are some of the top concerns.

The even more concerning part is the exposure time to these hot objects — the heat coming off blacktops is so hot that it can cause burns in a matter of seconds. Children’s skin can burn from contact with hot playground equipment and surfaces quickly because the temperature is only a couple of degrees below the boiling point of water.

One of the most common wounds from contact with hot playground equipment is blistering. However, because of the high-temperature playground equipment can reach, more severe burns are also a concern.

Burns happen in varying degrees. First-degree burns can happen at around 111 degrees Fahrenheit and second-degree burns with blistering can occur at 131 degrees Fahrenheit. Unfortunately, surfaces can definitely get hot enough to cause third-degree burns. Third-degree burns are extremely dangerous, as they destroy the epidermis and dermis, damaging the nerve endings. These burns may even damage the muscles and skin.

An Urgent Need for Shade in Schools

The need for shade is urgent. Organizations throughout the country recognize that many schools do not have sufficient shade and face dangerous climate liabilities, including heat. This is especially true in lower-income communities and schools.

Schools being shade deserts is seriously problematic for children’s health. Even if children are not playing on hot playground equipment or playground surfacing, being outside without sufficient shade subjects them to intense heat and its side effects. A playground blacktop like asphalt can contribute to the urban heat island effect. This is when the temperature in a built-up or urban environment is significantly higher because blacktops absorb and radiate heat, increasing the temperature on an already hot day.

While extreme heat affects everyone, children are especially prone to the side effects and risks. Children have a higher metabolism and sweat less than adults, so they get hotter quicker. Additionally, young children cannot regulate their body temperature as well as adults. Their bodies also naturally have more internal heat.

Of course, children are also more engrossed in their activities and distracted by the fun they are having. They’re less likely to notice that they’re overdoing it outdoors until it is too late. Plus, because they’re children, they’re far less likely to hydrate by themselves. These risks all accumulate and can lead to dangerous outcomes.

Protect Kids from Heat at School

Protecting kids from summer heat is a significant responsibility for school administrators or any municipality or business owner with an outdoor playground. For educators, it’s vital to be aware of the signs of heat exhaustion and heat stroke in children. Children might complain about or show signs of the following:

  • Headache
  • Dizziness
  • Nausea
  • Seizures
  • Rapid heartbeat and breathing
  • Not sweating and having cool, clammy skin
  • Flushed skin
  • A raised body temperature

Providing adequate shade — and other resources, like awareness and accessible water — is part of the solution for preventing serious heat-related injuries and conditions. More states, schools and communities are coming together to explore effective ways of transforming schoolyards from shade deserts to shade havens.

The Challenges of Implementing Shade

School districts are often aware of the challenges that schools face regarding shade. Still, combating the issue comes with a host of challenges. Schools often face tight budget restraints. In some instances, school boards must opt for cheaper alternatives to fixing the issue with asphalt, but these options can exacerbate the heat issue.

Choosing an alternative, like artificial turf, contributes to the urban heat island effect, as asphalt does. Artificial turf is primarily made of plastics and recycled rubber, which absorbs heat and becomes extremely hot. Artificial turf can be much hotter than natural grass when exposed to intense sunlight — quite similar to asphalt.

Additionally, some school districts may choose temporary shade elements, such as umbrellas, to combat shade. However, these structures don’t provide the durability and ultraviolet (UV) resistance that permanent shade features offer. Temporary efforts can work in the moment, but they don’t provide the lasting solution that playgrounds require.

School administrators and boards must pursue alternative options and invest in school infrastructure to create permanent shaded areas that offer permanent sun and heat protection.

Legislative Support for Transforming Schoolyards

Legislation for Shade Structures

Legislation initiatives and grants can help schools implement effective solutions, like permanent shade structures. State governments are becoming more involved in raising awareness about the lack of sufficient school infrastructure. Two examples are California’s proposed $10 billion school bond and the Los Angeles Unified School District’s (LAUSD) commitment to greening projects.

California’s proposed school bond addresses the urgent statewide need to repair unsafe K-12 school facilities. The state last passed a $9 billion school construction bond in 2016. Since then, new needs have been added to the legislature, highlighting the need for climate-resilient solutions that combat threats from heat, fires and flooding.

Some of these proposed solutions include adding shade structures to infrastructure and upgrading energy and air conditioning. Additionally, parts of the LAUSD spending plan aim to create better outdoor learning environments and remove 30% of asphalt paving to create space for more green, natural and sustainable schoolyards.

There are also grants for shade structures that schools and other community-centered spaces may be able to utilize. The American Academy of Dermatology (AAD) offers one such form of funding. AAD’s Shade Structure Grant Program awards public schools and nonprofits with grants of up to $8,000 to install permanent shade structures. This grant funds shade structures for public outdoor locations where children learn and play, including playgrounds.

A Vision for the Future of School Infrastructure

While there are several excellent ways to combat heat issues in schoolyards, implementing immediate solutions is vital. Green initiatives that plant trees for shade are an excellent solution and should be implemented and supported. However, it can take years of maturing before trees offer sufficient shade.

Using quality shade structures that offer high UV protection is an effective solution — and the benefits are immediate. The advantages of using permanent shade structures for schoolyards and playgrounds include:

  • Protection from excess sunlight: Shade structures help reduce exposure to the sun’s harmful UV rays. Of course, getting sunlight is important for vitamin D levels and mental and emotional well-being, but excessive exposure can lead to serious health issues. Since shade structures limit UV rays, they help reduce the risks associated with UV exposure.
  • Protection from excessive heat: Shade structures are ideal for covering playground equipment and other areas around the schoolyard. Schools can also add shade structures to benches and outdoor cafeteria seating, ensuring there are enough shade shelters for students, educators and parents.
  • Playground protection and cooler play areas: Shade structures also protect playground equipment from high temperatures and other inclement weather conditions. Keeping playground equipment and surfacing cooler is one of the best ways to avoid dangerous contact burns, and having a permanent structure covering the equipment can help.
  • Optimized play times: Though playground supervisors should take extra care and use discernment with the amount of time children spend outside in the heat, shade structures can help optimize these times. Children will still be able to enjoy the equipment on warmer days with less risk of excessive heat exposure.

Types of Shade Structures for Playground Shade Solutions

Each schoolyard is unique, so having various shade options to choose from is a must. There are various types of shade structures to suit diverse applications around the schoolyard. Some of the most common permanent shade structures are:

  • Cantilevers: Cantilevers are shade structures with columns or posts on one side to support them. They’re ideal when maximizing space is a priority. Thanks to their design, cantilevers require minimal structural support while still being stable despite having fewer columns. Cantilever shade structures are ideal choices for school walkways, parking spaces and even school bus stops.
  • Hip shade structures: Hip shade structures are supported by several columns. Thanks to the columns’ support, these structures are highly stable. Hip shade structures are excellent solutions for big open areas like playgrounds. They’re also ideal for pools, picnic areas and benches, making them versatile shade structures to use around a school building.
  • Specialty and custom shade structures: At USA SHADE, we provide specialty and custom shade structure solutions so schools and other establishments can have designs that look and function exactly as needed. Examples of our specialty shade structures are the Sahara four-column hip design, the Aquarius two-column design, the Arbor with four arms and tensioned fabric, and the two-column, curved-look Orion.
  • Quick-ship shade structures: We also offer popular and reliable quick-ship units with a four-week lead time from the order release date. These quick-ship products are ideal for school districts that want to take immediate action to provide maximum shade around the school building. Our quick-ship shade structures include single-post pyramid, two-post hip, and hip and pyramid shade structures.

Choose USA SHADE for Shade Structures That Help Combat Heat

Shade Structures to Combat Heat at Schools

Having sufficient shade around the schoolyard and over play areas is vital for children’s health and well-being. Extreme sun exposure remains a serious concern that school districts must address.

Thankfully, more options are becoming available — from green initiatives that plant trees around schools nationwide to quality shade structure solutions and grants that support shade structure funding for schools. Working as a community also greatly contributes to efforts to convert schoolyards into green spaces with shade structures.

If your school or school district is ready to implement effective solutions like shade structures, now is the time to act. At USA SHADE, we can help transform your school and playground area into a healthier and more enjoyable environment.

We’re industry leaders in designing and producing high-quality shade structures that can improve the functionality of your school’s facilities. Our shade structures for playgrounds, benches, walkways, bus stops and picnic spots allow students, parents and educators to enjoy better, sun-protected environments.

Our quick-ship units are especially ideal for schools that need to address immediate concerns and install shade structures quickly. Additionally, we offer custom options to meet all of your school’s needs and preferences. Feel free to explore our range of products or request a free quote. You can also contact us today to discuss our other services and solutions!