Playing It Cool

Many kids love recess. It gives them a chance to play and see friends. But extreme heat can make outdoor recess risky.

That is why some schools are redesigning their playgrounds. Asphalt blacktops are being removed. Grass and trees are being added. These cool the spaces and make them safer.

This playground in the Bronx, in New York City, has an asphalt play space. Before its redesign, it trapped heat.

Kids Have a Say

Asphalt is common on playgrounds. But the material soaks up heat from the sun. Asphalt “makes the neighborhood hotter,” Danielle Denk says. She’s from Trust for Public Land. The group works with schools in 24 states.

Those schools are turning asphalt into green areas. Students guide the process. The spaces help them keep cool and connect with nature.

The play space reopens in 2024 with green space, trees, and vibrant colors. It is a cooler place.

John F. Kennedy Elementary is in Scranton, Pennsylvania. It has a new play area. Camila Pena used to be a student there. Her class helped with the redesign. Now she is in middle school. “I feel proud and happy for the other kids that are going to play in this playground,” she says.