Shade provision in public playgrounds for thermal safety and sun protection: A case study across 100 play spaces in the United States

Olsen, Heather; Kennedy, Eric A.; Vanos, Jennifer

doi:10.1016/j.landurbplan.2019.04.003

Cited by 27 publications

(23 citation statements)

References 43 publications

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“…132 ► Create thermal refuges in frequently used public spaces (e.g., residential courtyards and neighborhood parks) through careful tree selection and arrangement, and incorporate built elements (e.g., shade structures, pools or fountains, and spray or mist systems) to provide additional respite during high heat events. [133][134][135][136] ► Design and locate tree projects to reduce extreme heat in under-resourced neighborhoods and near facilities that serve vulnerable populations, such as schools, hospitals, or elder care facilities. 135,[137][138][139][140] ► Incorporate native grasses and other understory plants in spaces too small for trees to reduce urban heat island effects and use organic mulch instead of rock mulch to prevent the heat load of parkway strips, parking lot aprons, and other commercial planting spaces.…”

Section: Example Adaptation Tacticsmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…[133][134][135][136] ► Design and locate tree projects to reduce extreme heat in under-resourced neighborhoods and near facilities that serve vulnerable populations, such as schools, hospitals, or elder care facilities. 135,[137][138][139][140] ► Incorporate native grasses and other understory plants in spaces too small for trees to reduce urban heat island effects and use organic mulch instead of rock mulch to prevent the heat load of parkway strips, parking lot aprons, and other commercial planting spaces.…”

Section: Example Adaptation Tacticsmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Climate adaptation actions for urban forests and human health

Janowiak

Brandt

Wolf³

et al. 2021

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Urban areas can be particularly vulnerable to climate change due to extensive impervious cover, increased pollution, greater human population densities, and a concentration of built structures that intensify impacts from urban heat, drought, and extreme weather. Urban residents are at risk from a variety of climate stressors, which can cause both physical and mental harm. Urban forests and tree cover provide a critical role in helping cities address climate change by supporting greenhouse gas mitigation, reducing the impacts of extreme heat and altered climate that impair human health, and helping communities to adaptively respond through engagement with nature. At the same time, urban forests are vulnerable to changes in climate and in need of robust strategies to adapt to those changes.As climate change impacts increase, efforts to "green" cities and adapt urban forests to changing conditions take on greater importance to support human health and well-being. Urban forest managers and allied professionals are looking for information to reduce climate risks to urban forests and secure their benefits for people and ecosystems. This report, Climate Adaptation Actions for Urban Forests and Human Health, synthesizes adaptation actions to address climate change in urban forest management and promote human health and well-being through nature-based solutions. It compiles and organizes information from a wide range of peerreviewed research and evidence-based reports on climate change adaptation, urban forest management, carbon sequestration and storage, and human health response to urban nature. This report includes the Urban Forest Climate and Health Adaptation Menu, which presents information and ideas for optimizing the climate and human health outcomes of urban forestry projects and provides professionals who are working at the intersection of climate, public health, and urban forestry with resources to support climate adaptation planning and activities. Notably, it does not provide specific recommendations or guidance for any particular place; rather, it offers a range of action opportunities at different scales that can be incorporated into either comprehensive or specific climate adaptation initiatives. The Menu can be used with an existing, tested adaptation process to help managers consider climate risks and explore the benefits and drawbacks of potential adaptation actions within the context of a particular situation or project. It also can be useful for generating productive discussions about community needs and values to guide planning, education and outreach, research, or changes in policy or infrastructure within communities.

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Section: Example Adaptation Tacticsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Example Adaptation Tacticsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Climate adaptation actions for urban forests and human health

Janowiak

Brandt

Wolf³

et al. 2021

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

show abstract

“…Using HVPs, landscape planners can quantify and regulate the ground microclimate from the perspective of citizens, which is helpful to optimize the surrounding or internal environmental quality of residential communities. The shading function of the urban green tree canopy provides protection for urban residents and pedestrians (Olsen, Kennedy, and Vanos 2019). The canopy acts as an umbrella by absorbing and reflecting solar radiation, reduces the risk of pedestrian heatstroke, and forms a relatively comfortable buffer space for humans to work, relax or perform other activities.…”

Section: Impact Of Full-view Green Vegetation Coverage On the Thermal Environmentmentioning

confidence: 99%

Quantification of urban greenery using hemisphere-view panoramas with a green cover index

Zhang

Xiao

et al. 2021

Ecosyst Health Sustain

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“…Environmental conditions at playgrounds related to sun and heat exposure warrant increased attention for potential harmful health consequences. For example, many playgrounds lack adequate shade provisions (Olsen et al, 2019), and contemporary playgrounds with artificial materials and little shade have some of the highest surface temperatures within an urban area (Vanos et al, 2016). Uncomfortable thermal conditions at playgrounds can affect the number of visitors, duration of visits, and activity levels of play (Semenzato et al, 2011;Vanos et al, 2017a).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Reimagining spaces where children play: developing guidance for thermally comfortable playgrounds in Canada

Kennedy

Olsen

Vanos

et al. 2021

Can J Public Health

Self Cite

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Setting Planning and designing thermally comfortable outdoor spaces is increasingly important in the context of climate change, particularly as children are more vulnerable than adults to environmental extremes. However, existing playground standards focus on equipment and surfacing to reduce acute injuries, with no mention of potential negative health consequences related to heat illness, sun exposure, and other thermal extremes. The goal of this project was to develop proposed guidelines for designing thermally comfortable playgrounds in Canada for inclusion within the CAN/CSA-Z614 Children’s playground equipment and surfacing standard. Intervention The project to develop guidance for thermally comfortable playgrounds was initiated with a municipal project in Windsor, Ontario, to increase shade, vegetation, and water features at parks and playgrounds to provide more comfortable experiences amid the increased frequency of hot days (≥30°C). The lack of available information to best manage environmental conditions led to a collaborative effort to build resources and raise awareness of best practices in the design of thermally comfortable playgrounds. Outcomes A group of multidisciplinary experts developed technical guidance for improving thermal comfort at playgrounds, including a six-page thermal comfort annex adopted within a national playground and equipment standard. The annex has been used by Canadian schools in a competition to design and implement green playgrounds. Implications Both the technical report and the thermal comfort annex provide increased awareness and needed guidance for managing environmental conditions at playgrounds. Thermally safe and comfortable play spaces will help ensure that Canada’s playgrounds are designed to minimize environmental health risks for children.

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Shade provision in public playgrounds for thermal safety and sun protection: A case study across 100 play spaces in the United States

Cited by 27 publications

References 43 publications

Climate adaptation actions for urban forests and human health

Climate adaptation actions for urban forests and human health

Quantification of urban greenery using hemisphere-view panoramas with a green cover index

Reimagining spaces where children play: developing guidance for thermally comfortable playgrounds in Canada

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