City of Joondalup to install shade sails at Burns Beach, Currambine and Mullaloo parks

THREE playgrounds will be cooler this summer with the installation of shade sails.

The City of Joondalup will be installing structures at Burns Beach, Tom Simpson (Mullaloo) and Delamere (Currambine) parks before the end of the year.

During the construction, the playgrounds will be closed, with on-site signage to inform visitors.

Mayor Albert Jacob said while this may inconvenience regular users of the three playgrounds, the works would result in greater opportunities to use the facilities, particularly in summer months.

“The provision of shade at playgrounds is an important issue for many residents who are often unable to take their children to use some of our most popular parks in summer due to overheated playground equipment from exposure to the sun,” he said.

“To install sail structures at three very popular and highly utilised playgrounds is a huge win for the local community.”

Mr Jacob said while natural shading, given the high costs of installing and maintaining artificial shade, was the City’s preference for play spaces, there were some circumstances where this was not practical.

Under the City’s playground shade policy, artificial shade will be considered if the playground is regularly used, is located near other amenities that encourage long stays such as barbecue, picnic and sporting facilities and toilets, and if natural shade is difficult or impossible including space and soil restrictions.

Additional playground shade structures will be listed for consideration in the City’s 2019-20 budget.