As we celebrate Great Outdoors Month just around the corner in June, PlaySouth Playground Creators want to help your community stay cool while enjoying more time outside. With Georgia summers bringing temperatures that regularly climb into the 90s, playground shade structures are essential for creating usable, comfortable play environments all summer long.

 

More Than Sun Protection

Shade structures do much more than block harmful UV rays (though that's certainly important). They also:

  • Extend playspace usability by keeping equipment cooler to the touch
  • Create gathering spaces for community events, picnics, and social connections
  • Increase the overall value of your recreational investment
  • Add visual interest to your playspace design
  • Provide shelter from the elements to help prolong the life of your equipment

 

Options for Every Community

Whether you're looking for a complete shelter for community gatherings or targeted shade over specific playground equipment, we offer solutions through our partnerships with Superior® Shade and Burke®.

Superior Shade Options

For communities seeking versatile, standalone structures, Georgia manufacturer Superior Shade offers:

  • Shade sails in custom colors and configurations
  • Cantilever designs for maximum coverage with minimal support posts
  • Integrated table and bench options

Burke Playground Shade

For direct integration with your Burke playspace, consider:

    • ShadePlay® Canopies offering up to 97% UV screening protection
    • Freestanding Shade options with 6 to 15 times more coverage than roofs
    • Custom color options to complement your Burke equipment
    • Shade canopies designed to maximize protection where kids play most

Burke offers a 10-year limited warranty on ShadePlay Canopies, giving you peace of mind along with protection from the sun.

 

Benefits for Georgia Communities

Adding shade to playspaces across Georgia helps communities make the most of their outdoor recreation investments. During our hot summer months, playgrounds without shade can become too hot to use during peak daylight hours.

A well-designed shade structure can reduce surface temperatures by 40 degrees, according to scientists at Texas Tech, dramatically extending the usable hours of your playground. This means more play time, more community gathering, and more value from your investment.

 

Planning Your Shade Solution

When considering shade for your playspace, our Recreation Product Advisors recommend:

  1. Observing your current playspace at different times of day to identify high-use areas that need shade most.
  2. Consider multi-purpose needs – will the structure also serve as an event space?
  3. Think about sightlines – parents should be able to see children from shaded seating areas.
  4. Plan for growth – investing in a larger structure now may save money long-term.

 

Ready to Add Shade to Your Community?

With Georgia's heat already upon us, now is the perfect time to add shade to your existing playspace or include it in your new playground plans. Our team is ready to help your community stay cool while enjoying the great outdoors all summer long.

Contact your PlaySouth Recreation Product Advisor today for a free on-site evaluation and shade recommendation. Let's keep your community playing outside even as the temperatures rise!