City looking to add shade to all public playgrounds in the next five years

City looking to add shade to all public playgrounds in the next five years
(Photo by Matt Roy)

News4SA
by Matt Roy
Thu, August 10th 2023, 9:05 PM CDT

SAN ANTONIO - The city of San Antonio is also looking to use $19 million over the next five years for shaded covers on the city's playgrounds.

"We're gonna lay out a plan to the council to put shade structures over every playground," city manager Erik Walsh said.

During their budget presentation Thursday, the city unveiled a new plan to put 13 shade structures over 12 parks this fiscal year, with a long-term plan to shade the rest of the 61 playgrounds that are currently uncovered over the next five years.

"We try to get out here like 2-3 times a week but it has been so hot these days that we are only able to be here for like 30 minutes or so," local parent Ceaira Guevara said.

Playgrounds are pretty much deserted throughout the city on 104-degree days like we have seen in the dog days of Summer.

Guevara says shaded covers sure would help.

"It's a great idea," she said. "The kids would love it, I would love it to cool down some after a run."

"The benefit of putting shade over playgrounds is it allows the community to connect to the space and use it really almost anytime a day," Homer Garcia III, the director of the San Antonio Parks and Rec department, said.

One might not think that a little bit of shade can make that big of a difference, but it can have a near 50-degree difference on some playground equipment.

Garcia III says. about $3.8 million is planned for FY24 to cover 12 parks this year in areas with the biggest need.

"It's a great opportunity to make sure that we're thoughtful in how we invest these dollars citywide," Garcia III said.