Schools redesign playgrounds to handle rising heat

To protect children from extreme heat, schools are replacing asphalt with trees, shade structures and water features across some of the hottest regions in the U.S.

Somini Sengupta reports for The New York Times.

In short:

• Schools in Arizona, California and other heat-prone areas are adding shade canopies, trees and irrigation to cool playgrounds and make outdoor spaces safer for children.
• Many districts face financial challenges in implementing these changes, which require significant maintenance costs like irrigation and gardening.
• California has allocated nearly $150 million for heat-relief schoolyard projects, including playground retrofits in urban districts.

Key quote:

“These are kids who don’t cool as efficiently as adults.”

— Debra Pangrazi, head of physical education for the Mesa, Ariz. school district’s elementary schools

Why this matters:

As temperatures continue to rise due to climate change, traditional schoolyards with asphalt surfaces worsen heat exposure for young children, who are less capable of regulating body temperature. Creating cooler, shaded play areas is essential for student health and well-being.

Read more: Schools across the US are removing asphalt to reduce heat risks