Metal is the main component of playground structures along with recycled plastic and other plastic accessories of equipment like swing seats, slides and climbing structures. Direct sunlight can quickly heat up the metal structures and without any shade, the equipment will likely stay hot all day long.
Children can easily burn their legs, feet and hands and even other parts of the body when sliding down, sitting on the swings or climbing the structures around the playground. The need of the hour is for playgrounds to provide adequate shade for young children and babies.
As a parent it is your responsibility of providing protection to the children at play outside from the harmful UV rays of the sun by providing adequate structures that give the required shade. There are different kinds of shade structures that are available in the market today.
These shade structures include shade sails, permanent pergolas and verandas, awnings, marquees and tents and portable shade structures. Shade structures are usually made from recycled plastic or other plastic accessories and are attached to corrosion resistant galvanized steel frames. They come in a choice of different colors that can be coordinated with the existing
playground structures and are designed is such a way that they protect people on the playgrounds from not only UV radiation but other weather elements also. They can stand up to not only strong winds but also comply with local building codes.
The shade scaffolding of these structures can be made out of recycled plastic, PVC or steel. A good idea is to use shade cloth that is dark as it will block or absorb UV radiation better than lighter shade of fabrics. The chosen fabric should have the ability to offer a sun protection factor of 15 or greater from the UV rays of the sun.
The size of the area to be covered is an important consideration to provide the right kind of protection and the best structures are those that provide a permanent and freestanding canopy over play spaces or the other key sections of an open area. Providing shade protection is a worthwhile investment, as it not only attracts more visitors to enjoy the great outdoors, but also helps to keep the public safe in the sun by offering protection from skin damage and heat discomfort.
