Playgrounds in the city of Graz are particularly popular during the summer holidays, but many of them are real heat hotspots under the blazing sun. Recent research shows that certain playground equipment can heat up to over 100 degrees. More shade could help.
Sliding, swinging, climbing, playing in the sand and simply letting off steam: the more than 70 public playgrounds in the city of Graz offer a welcome change from the stuffiness of your own four walls, especially during the summer holidays. However, many of the leisure facilities are not necessarily optimally designed and equipped for the extreme heat we are currently experiencing.
As a current study by Graz sun protection manufacturer Woundwo shows, some playgrounds in the state capital are turning into real hotspots. The surface temperature of play equipment and surfaces was measured – with some alarming results.
Sliding becomes a “playing with fire”
The frontrunner was a metal slide in the popular playground on Theodor-Körner-Straße: at an outside temperature of 32 degrees, it heated up to a whopping 104 degrees! “These extreme conditions pose a significant threat to the health and safety of our children, as the temperatures are high enough to cause irreparable burns – second and even third degree burns,” says Woundwo expert Mathias Varga. The playground in the Oeverseepark in the Gries district is also scorching hot: both the concrete floors and the rubber tires on which children can swing are heated to over 80 degrees.
Gleisdorf playground covered with solar panels
The temperatures were most pleasant during the research in the naturally shaded mini playground on Floßlendstrasse. Sun protection is also the keyword that the not entirely altruistic research of sun protection provider Woundwo focuses on. In addition to natural shade from trees, it is already common practice in many countries to provide playgrounds with artificial shade. In New Zealand, for example, Woundwo has already set up playgrounds, “including the integration of innovative solar panels,” Varga explains. In Gleisdorf, East Styria, a playground was recently covered with solar panels.
Awnings were victims of vandalism
The responsible deputy mayor Judith Schwentner (Greens) says that when building new playgrounds, careful attention is paid to the positioning and orientation of the play equipment and materials. And: “As for the targeted sun protection on the hotspots mentioned, we are currently working intensively on a solution.” Apparently there have already been problems with vandalism: “Unfortunately, the sun sails that had already been installed did not stay in place for very long.”
Source: Krone
I am Wallace Jones, an experienced journalist. I specialize in writing for the world section of Today Times Live. With over a decade of experience, I have developed an eye for detail when it comes to reporting on local and global stories. My passion lies in uncovering the truth through my investigative skills and creating thought-provoking content that resonates with readers worldwide.
