Our future's so hot, we gotta get shades!

Two weeks ago our state reached the 100 days of over 100 degree weather this summer. This excessive heat and drought was seen throughout the U.S. creating additional challenges, discomforts, and even dangers for kids to go and play outside. In these conditions kids can easily suffer dehydration, sunstroke, heat exhaustion, sunburn, eye damage, and even the kinds of long term skin damage that can result in melanomas- the most deadly form of skin cancers.

This week we are breathing a sigh of relief and hoping that fall is here to stay. Most of us are trying hard to put the squelching summer as far from our thoughts as possible. However, now is the perfect time to begin grant or fund-raising campaigns at your facility to be thinking about ways you can start providing shade as early as next summer. Additionally you can begin encouraging parks and recreation officials to add shade to existing playground areas.

Here is one grant campaign that is noteworthy. Starting OCTOBER 17th the American Academy of Dermatologists in partnership with the Johnson and Johnson Company will be accepting grants for up to $8,000 to provide shade to non-profits and public schools.

 http://www.aad.org/skin-care-and-safety/skin-cancer-prevention/shade-structure

Advantages to manufactured shade are that it is instantly available after installation and provides more uniform shade. However, very high cost. Some types of manufactured shades to consider include canvas sails and umbrellas.


Another type called a cantilever can be attached to existing buildings or fences, therefore, reducing the need for more posts. Lattices and recycled sheet metals may create a cheaper way to create some shade as well.