Shade for Kids

This project was generously funded by CIBC.

Agenda

• Why shade?

• The benefits of shade

• Types of shade

• How to design for shade on the school ground

Shade for Kids

Why Shade?• One in seven children will develop skin

cancer

• Children don’t often seek shade

• Children spend up to 25% of their time outdoors

• Unshaded surface temperatures can be 20°C hotter than adjacent shaded areas.

“Adequate solar protection during childhood is more important than at any

other time in life.”Donald Wigle, Child Health and the Environment

Benefits of Shade

• Cooler air temperatures in summer

• Energy conservation

• Buffering of cold winter winds

Trees also:

• Create a connection to the living world

• Provide habitat and shelter for birds and wildlife

• Filter dust and air pollution

• Absorb carbon dioxide and produce oxygen

Types of Shade

• Natural

• Built

Natural Shade

Living Fences

Built Shade

Permanent Structures

• Sun Shelters

• Pergolas/

Arbours

• Gazebos

Temporary Structures

• Tents

• Awnings

• Umbrellas

• Shade sails

Selecting Trees

Designing for Shade

Designing for Shade

• Conduct a site analysis

• Develop a conceptual masterplan

• Develop a phase one site plan

• Devise a tree care plan

• Plant

• Celebrate and measure success

Conduct a Site Analysis

• Survey user needs

• Survey your school ground

• Chart your findings

Survey User Needs

• Students

• Teachers

• Parents

• Caretaker

• Principal

Questionnaire for ShadeStudents

What time of the day do you play in the school ground?

What do you do on the school ground?

Where do you like to play or be?

Is there shade where you play?

What would you like to see done on your school ground to increase shade and make it more comfortable?

Survey Your School Ground

Step 1: Physical and Environmental Features

• Map physical features (existing and planned)

• Map environmental features• Check for irrigation and utility lines,

overhead wires and sight lines

Step 2: Map Play and Use Patterns

• Active play areas• Asphalt game areas• Passive/quiet play areas• Circulation routes• Out-of-bounds areas

Survey Your School Ground

Step 3: Map Existing Shade Patterns

• Observe and map shade patterns at noon• Other times may include

– Before and after school– During recess– During outside class periods

Survey Your School Ground

Chart Your Findings

Area Sufficient Shade

Increase Shade

Time of Day Shade Needed

Comments

1. Active play areas

X 12:00 Asphalt play area to be shaded

2. Play structures X 12:00 – 2:30 Plant trees on west side of structure

3. Meet and greet areas

X 9:00 and 3:30 Plant trees at bus pick-up zone

4. Spectator areas X 12:00 – 4:30 Plant trees with benches for seating

5. Sand play areas

X

Develop a Conceptual Masterplan

• Use or build on existing shade

• Identify and label priority areas for shade

• Indicate phases for your project

• Make sure shade is where you want it when you want it!

Complete a Phase One

Site PlanA site plan includes:

• A planting plan

• A species list

• A materials list

• The location of your project in relation to the school

Create a Tree Care Plan

• Watering

• Weeding

• Trimming and

Pruning

• Mulching

• Protection

• Leave your leaves!

Mulch• 10-15 cm deep

• 1 m radius

• Top up

every year

Protect Your Trees

• Wire mesh caging

• Plastic snow fencing

• Woven tree basket

• Circle of stones

Wire-mesh caging

Plastic snow fencing

Woven tree basket

Circle of Stones

Measure Your Success

• Take pictures

• Learn and have fun

• Evaluate your progress

• Grow your project over time

Holding down soil

Shading the earth and cooling its surface

Absorbing rainwater and gradually re-releasing moisture

Softening the sweep of winds

The importance of maintaining our green canopy cannot be overemphasized.

Henry Kock in A Breath of Fresh Air: Celebrating Nature and School Gardens

• Anne Bell (47)• Joshua Berson (28, 49)• Cam Collyer (12, 29)• Bruce Day and Heidi Campbell (9, 13, 15, 20, 21,

24, 43, 45, 51)• Denny Manchee (3, 6)• Safoura Moazami (17)• Samara Newman: Maps and Illustrations (19, 22,

23, 25, 32, 34, 36, 39, 41, 44, 46, 47, 48, 49)• Michael Reichmann (18)• Karen Rosborough (14)• Robert Vautour (10)• Evergreen staff (5, 8, 16, 26)

Photo Credits

www.evergreen.ca