June 2024 – Parks & Recreation - 48

OPERATIONS
Investing in Shade
By Alexandra Reynolds
P
ark and recreation professionals strive to connect their community
members with the valuable benefits parks, recreation and green
spaces provide. However, particularly as we head into the summer
months, parkgoers need shade to find respite from ultraviolet
(UV) rays while enjoying the outdoors. " Children and adolescents should
be especially protected from excessive UV radiation exposure because severe
sunburns early in life may particularly increase risk of melanoma, "
according to the American Cancer Society (tinyurl.com/38rk2zju).
Unique shade structure designs, like
this custom monoslope, add interest
to outdoor spaces.
available shade. With extra shade,
more visitors can comfortably stay
outside longer as they enjoy fresh
air and recreation.
Materials
Shade structures are manufactured
in a variety of materials that allow
for creative design choices. When
considering what type of shade
structure to install, weigh the qualities
that are most important to your
park and recreation agency regarding
style, longevity and maintenance.
Two prominent options are
steel and fabric shade structures.
Steel shade structures offer yearBy
providing ample shade, park
and recreation agencies can help
community members embrace sun
safety while taking part
in outdoor
recreation and play. Parks,
dog parks, aquatics facilities, skate
parks, beaches, and athletic fields
and facilities all are spots where
people may be seeking needed
shade throughout
the seasons.
While trees are excellent shade
providers, some facilities and locations
may benefit from the addition
of shade structures to expand
round shade cover, sturdiness and a
long lifespan, says Jennifer Graves,
marketing supervisor at Poligon.
She advises park and recreation
professionals to select designs that
minimize opportunities
nesting
for
in
bird
undesirable locations,
such as pavilions and gazebos
where parkgoers may want to have
a picnic or host a party. " Hidden
bolt connections remove unsightly
spacing that would normally
attract bird nesting, " says Graves.
What's more, hiding wires for security
systems and lights within
the design and selecting colors for
48 Parks & Recreation | JUNE 2 0 2 4 | PARK S ANDRECRE AT ION . OR G
downspouts and gutters that match
the structure enhance the look of
the amenity, she says.
Fabric
shade
structures
lend
unique benefits, like opportunities
to be creative with color and dynamic
angles, as well as lower cost,
says Graves.
In
2023,
Jennifer Egan, marketing
coordinator at Kraftsman
Commercial Playgrounds & Water
Parks, told Parks & Recreation,
" Fabric shade structures are popular
for parks, schools, zoos and
museums, among other venues.
They are more economical compared
to steel
shade. However,
they do require some basic maintenance,
such as tensioning of cables
that holds the material in place, "
(tinyurl.com/5n82ej4d).
Both steel and fabric shade structures
offer
parkgoers a needed
retreat from UV rays. By taking
advantage of design and customization
options, park and recreation
professionals
can enhance
their parks and facilities with shade
structures that complement existing
site amenities.
SEE ALSO: " A Shade Structure
for Every Occasion, " Jennifer Graves,
Parks & Recreation, June 2018,
Vol. 53, Iss. 6, tinyurl.com/3t893ujm.
" Shade Adds Value to Your Park, "
Jennifer Egan, Parks & Recreation,
June 2023, Vol. 58, Iss. 6, tinyurl.
com/5n82ej4d.
Alexandra Reynolds is Associate Editor
of Parks & Recreation magazine
(areynolds@nrpa.org).
PHOTO COURTESY OF BEN JUDY
http://tinyurl.com/38rk2zju http://tinyurl.com/5n82ej4d http://tinyurl.com/3t893ujm http://tinyurl.com/5n82ej4d
June 2024 – Parks & Recreation

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