Did you know that every Brisbane playground, including Fitzgibbon’s Hidden World Playground, will get shade cover as part of the Sun Safe Suburban Playgrounds program?
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Through the initiative, the Hidden World Playground tucked inside Bill Brown Sports Reserve, will get either shade sails or mature trees to protect children from sunburn especially during the warmer months.
In a mid-year announcement, more than 150 playgrounds across the city will be upgraded with shade covers, under the $10-million Sun Safe Suburban Playgrounds Program, which is a key initiative included in the upcoming 2022-23 Council budget.
Under the initiative, Brisbane City Council parks teams will determine the specific playgrounds to be covered and will use shade sails at some locations and will incorporate mature trees at others.
“As mums, dads, grandparents and carers know all too well, Brisbane playgrounds without shade can be no-go zones during the warmer months of the year,” LM Adrian Schrinner said.
Although many parks and playgrounds already have good shade cover provided by mature trees, there are hundreds of parks still requiring enough shade cover.
This is a welcome initiative, as Queensland continues to be the skin cancer capital of Australia with more than 3,600 people diagnosed with melanoma each year.
Cancer Council Queensland General Manager for Advocacy James Farrell has welcomed the initiative, saying that it will help minimise the amount of UV radiation to which children are exposed.
“Providing shade at every playground in the Brisbane City Council area is an important initiative that will help protect children from sunburn and potentially from skin cancers later in life,” Mr Farrell said.
“Adequate sun protection is critical from an early age. We recommend Queenslanders slip on protective clothing, slop on sunscreen, slap on a broad-brimmed hat, seek shade, and slide on wrap-around sunnies when outdoors.”