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What You Can Do About Excessively Hot Playgrounds 

by Dr. Melinda Bossenmeyer aka The Recess Doctor

The Problem of Hot Playgrounds

Playground temperatures can soar well above 100 degrees Fahrenheit, posing significant health risks to students. Studies have shown that excessive heat can lead to heat exhaustion, heatstroke, and even death.

Provide A Little Shade

I’ve been writing about playgrounds and more specifically hot playgrounds for about 20 years. Twenty years ago, the topic was focused on the old metal playground jungle gym type play areas and children receiving second degree burns on hot summer days. In 2015, Texas Tech University conducted a research study entitled, “Dangerously hot playground temperatures explored by researcher.”^[1] Researcher Jennifer Vanos pointed out, “the first step toward improving safety at playgrounds across the country is a simple obvious solution—provide a little shade.”  Shade structures over play structures are a relatively simple solution and a cost-effective intervention especially when considering student health and safety. Previously, our concern was students’ burning their skin; today it is different.

Today, headlines squarely address climate change and how it has contributed to rising temperatures exceeding 100 degrees on multiple days across much of America.  

How schools respond to this occurrence will be critical for how it effects recess and student health going forward. For example, some schools keep students indoors when the heat exceeds 100 degrees. Other schools limit play to 5 minutes of activity followed by 5 minutes of cooling off in a shaded area. But the problem with these practices is that both significantly affect students outdoor recess activities which has ample research to support the importance of recess^[1] and the role it plays in academic success: 1) improving concentration, and 2) helps to burn off energy so student return to class less fidgety and ready to learn among a variety of other academic benefits. ^[2]

^[1] Bossenmeyer, Melinda. 10 Reasons Recess is so Important. Featured Articles Peaceful Playgrounds. https://peacefulplaygrounds.com/featured-articles-members/10-reasons-why-recess-is-so-important/

^[2] American Academy of Pediatricians.  The Crucial Role of Recess in School.  January 2013 first publication. Reaffirmed April 2023. https://publications.aap.org/pediatrics/article/131/1/183/30893/The-Crucial-Role-of-Recess-in-School?

^[1] Texas Tech University. "Dangerously hot playground temperatures explored by researcher." ScienceDaily. ScienceDaily, 11 November 2015.

Benefits of Grass and Asphalt

The benefits of grass and asphalt are many. For this reason, I would caution against removing asphalt. Nearly 39% of all students prefer to play on the asphalt if they have marked games and equipment. The asphalt and grass combined indicated that 89% of students preferred to play in these two areas of the playground. Perhaps that is because they offer unique game opportunities to collaborate with friends in a self-selected activity. We found that game activates were the key to engaging children at recess. When children were wandering around with nothing to do, problems and confrontations arose. Remember the saying, “Idle hands are the devil’s workshop?” That applies to the playground as well.  When children have game options and equipment most will self-select to be involved in a game. Self-select is an important distinction. In the 2020 SD PEP Study, we did not tell students what to do during recess, we merely added painted markings and provided adequate game/consumable equipment (sports balls, tether balls, jump ropes etc.) needed for game participation.

Removing asphalt will eliminate a play area that many students prefer to play. Properly shaded asphalt areas allow for group play and involvement which there are few opportunities for in school classrooms. Game participation requires social interactions with peers and contributes to social skill development like leadership, cooperation, and learning to be a team player.

Chart by Pam Knox. Climate and Agriculture in the Southeast.

Removing asphalt trend

Some solutions schools are exploring will affect recess and children’s health. A recent headline in the Washington Post said, “Why schools are ripping up playgrounds across the U.S.”^[1] Primarily this is due to research that indicates that asphalt surfaces, playground structures and mat surfaces (like those under playground structures that cushion falls) are sources of elevated heat. You may be wondering, “How hot does the pavement get in the summer?”^[2] The chart below points out that asphalt is the hottest surface, which may be the reason for removing asphalt in exchange for trees and grass.

^[1] Anna Phillips, Why Schools are ripping up playgrounds across the U.S., Washington Post, September 14, 2024. https://www.washingtonpost.com/climate-solutions/2024/09/14/playgrounds-asphalt-schools-cool-shade/

^[2] Pam Knox. How hot does pavement get in summer? May 12, 2022. UGA Cooperative Extension. https://site.extension.uga.edu/climate/2022/05/how-hot-does-pavement-get/

Alternatives to Consider

Let’s explore a combination of alternatives to removing asphalt that are being considered:

1. Adding trees and grass aiming for a “nature” enriched environment.
2. Adding sun sails to playground play areas and over playground structures.
3. Building covered pavilions (permanent structures like patio covers.)
4. Adding misters to playground with covered areas for children to go to so they can cool down during recess.
5. Add water stations so children can rehydrate during recess or when outside.
6. Allow water bottles at student desks or on the playground to make water easily available on hot days.

Shade structures or Sun Sails

When I was an elementary school principal, my school was in Southern California about 60 miles from Palm Springs. It was not unusual to experience 100+ days frequently during the summer months and into early fall.  We chose to have a pavilion installed and added misters to the outer rim of the pavilion as an antidote to the rising heat.

Contrary to popular belief, misters are inexpensive, they use a small amount of water and are easy to install and maintain.  Here is a link to an article that I wrote recently which explains the many benefits of misters. It’s entitled, “Misters: A cool answer to hot playgrounds.” ^[1]

^[1] Bossenmeyer EdD., Melinda “Misters: A Cool Answer to Hot Playgrounds.” July 2024, Play Nice Newsletter. Peaceful Playgrounds, Inc. https://peacefulplaygrounds.com/featured-articles-members/misters-a-cool-answer-to-hot-playgrounds/

The AAD (American Academy of Dermatology) Shade Structure Program is open to 501(c)(3) non-profit organizations and public schools that provide services, programs, and curricula to children and teenagers who are 18 and younger. 

https://www.aad.org/public/public-health/shade-structure-grants/shade-structure-grant-application

https://www.aad.org/public/public-health/shade-structure-grants

The application dates are Oct 1- Dec 15, 2024.

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