Staying Cool

What specific materials is Lyon using to replace customary asphalt playground surfaces, and how do these materials help reduce heat retention?

Lyon Adapts: Cooling Playgrounds for Summer Heat

The Rising Urban Heat Island Affect in Lyon

lyon, like manny European cities, is experiencing increasingly intense summer heat waves.This is exacerbated by the urban heat island effect, where built-up areas trap heat, leading to considerably higher temperatures than surrounding rural areas.Playgrounds, traditionally surfaces of dark asphalt and metal, become dangerously hot, posing a risk to children’s health and limiting outdoor play during peak hours.This article explores how Lyon is proactively addressing this challenge through innovative playground cooling solutions.

Strategies for Cooler Play Spaces

The city of Lyon is implementing a multi-faceted approach to mitigate heat on playgrounds, focusing on materials, shading, and vegetation. These strategies aim to create safer, more comfortable environments for children to enjoy outdoor activities even during extreme heat.

Material Choices: Beyond Asphalt

Traditional playground surfacing materials absorb and retain heat. Lyon is shifting towards alternatives:

Porous Asphalt: Allows water to drain through, reducing surface temperature through evaporative cooling.

Rubber Mulch: A softer, cooler surface option made from recycled tires. Offers impact absorption and lower heat retention.

Water-Permeable Pavers: Similar to porous asphalt, these pavers allow water infiltration, keeping surfaces cooler.

Light-Colored Surfaces: Reflecting sunlight rather of absorbing it. This includes lighter-colored rubber surfacing and painted playground equipment.

Wood Chip: A natural and relatively cool surface, notably when kept moist.

The Power of Shade: Natural and artificial

Shade is crucial for reducing direct sunlight exposure and lowering surface temperatures.Lyon is employing both natural and artificial shading techniques:

Tree Planting: Strategically planting trees around playgrounds provides natural shade and contributes to overall urban cooling. Species selection is key, prioritizing native trees with dense canopies.

Shade Sails: Fabric structures that provide targeted shade over play equipment. These are cost-effective and can be easily installed.

Pergolas & Covered Structures: More permanent shading solutions offering robust protection from the sun.

Green Walls: Vertical gardens integrated into playground structures, providing shade and aesthetic benefits.

Integrating Vegetation: green Playgrounds

Beyond trees, incorporating vegetation directly into playground design offers multiple benefits:

Green Roofs on Play Structures: Reducing heat absorption and providing insulation.

Planting Around Play Equipment: Creating microclimates with lower temperatures.

Edible gardens: Integrating small vegetable gardens into the playground, offering educational opportunities and promoting healthy eating.

Rain Gardens: Capturing rainwater runoff and using plants to filter and cool the water, contributing to evaporative cooling.

Benefits of Cooler Playgrounds

The benefits extend beyond simply preventing burns and heatstroke. cooler playgrounds contribute to:

Improved public Health: Reducing the risk of heat-related illnesses in children.

Increased Playtime: Encouraging children to spend more time outdoors,promoting physical activity and social interaction.

Enhanced Cognitive Development: Studies show that access to green spaces improves cognitive function in children.

Reduced Energy Consumption: Shading and vegetation can lower the temperature of surrounding buildings, reducing the need for air conditioning.

Improved Air Quality: Trees and plants absorb pollutants, improving air quality in urban areas.

Case Study: The Parc de la Tête d’Or Pilot Program

In 2023, Lyon launched a pilot program within the Parc de la Tête d’Or, one of the city’s largest urban parks. This program focused on retrofitting a section of the playground with porous asphalt, installing shade sails over key play areas, and planting a variety of deciduous trees to provide seasonal shade. Initial data collected showed a temperature reduction of up to 8°C on the playground surface during peak hours compared to adjacent asphalt areas. The success of this pilot is informing city-wide implementation strategies.

Practical Tips for Playground Managers & Parents

Check Surface Temperatures: Before allowing children to play, check the temperature of playground surfaces. If they are too hot to touch, avoid use.

Time of Day: Schedule playtime during cooler hours, such as early morning or late afternoon.

Hydration: Ensure children drink plenty of water before, during, and after playtime.

Sun Protection: Apply sunscreen, hats, and sunglasses.

Seek Shade: Encourage children to play in shaded areas whenever possible.

Advocate for Change: support initiatives to create cooler playgrounds in your community.

Resources for Further Data

Agence de l’environnement et de la maîtrise de l’énergie (ADEME): https://www.ademe.fr/ (French Agency for Ecological Transition)

Ville de Lyon – Espaces Verts: https://www.lyon.fr/ (Lyon City Council – Green Spaces)

* Urban Heat Island Information: https://www.epa.gov/heat-islands (US Environmental Protection Agency)