Playground shade is crucial for children's safety, especially during hot weather, as it reduces the risk of heat stroke and other heat-related illnesses, protects equipment from overheating, and provides a more comfortable environment for children and caregivers.

"According to the Consumer Product Safety Commission, each year, more than 200,000 children go to U.S. hospital emergency departments with injuries associated with playground equipment."

Garden Road playground is long overdue for shade coverage and a structure/ground improvements. Our children need a safe playground where they can run, play, and exercise. Effective shade installations are desperately needed to protect them, parents and caregivers from the harsh daytime heat and high UV we experience in our neighborhood. The sun is so harsh in the summer months that the playground becomes unusable. Between excessive heat and the plastic getting hot enough to burn a child's hand, shade is no longer a nice to have, it's a must have. Parents can't push their kids on the swings because we're gonna pass out. Kids also don't see the risks and just want to play which can lead to overheating and heat stroke. In addition, the bandaid ground fix is deteriorating, causing tripping hazards for small children.

As summers get hotter and more intense, now is the time to act. Poway Parks and Recreation said they had plans to update this park by early 2025, and yet, no progress has occurred. A comparison across all Poway parks, Garden Road playground has been neglected. Let's put pressure on Poway Parks and Recreation to make Garden Road playground a priority and give our children a shaded, safe, and enjoyable playground for summer 2025. Waiting is no longer an option. Parents more than ever need help and safe, shaded parks is one thing that can make a difference. 

Some additional trees would also be nice, since so many were cut down last year. Poway says it has the nicest parks in San Diego County, well time to follow through. Let's pull together and get shade where we need it most!

PS. you can see in the picture, the children and adult are huddled under the only small shaded area on this hot day. And we're only in March...

Safety References:

https://journals.humankinetics.com/view/journals/jpah/20/2/article-p134.xml