We Speak Playground

If you are in charge of building a new playground or ordering playground equipment for a daycare or school, one of the decisions you may be facing is deciding whether to order a shade structure to go over the playground. A shade structure helps to block out the sun's ultraviolet rays, shielding kids and playground equipment from the sunlight.

Learning about the benefits that shade structures have to offer can help you decide if it is worth investing in one for your playground equipment. Here are a few of the benefits. 

Children and playgrounds have gone hand-in-hand since the first playground appearance in the United States in 1886. Unfortunately, today, kids are opting for more screen time than in-person play, some spending as much as seven hours a day on tablets or smartphones once they reach the teen years. Some children even as young as six months are using screen time in place of physical play.

Unfortunately, this propensity to replace physical outdoor play with inside screen time means kids are not getting their recommended 60 minutes a day engaging in physical activity—based on the United States Department of Health and Human Services daily recommendations. Thankfully, there is a way to make playgrounds more appealing, even to the modern generation and break them away from electronic play, getting them outdoors.

When designing a playground project it's important to consider not only the play structure itself, but also other items and accessories that make up the total park design. Additions such as shade, seating and litter disposals add to the overall experience and comfort of those using your play area.

By planning with the Total Park in mind you can increase the enjoyment of children of all ages, along with parents, educators, community residents or other guests.