April 2011 - Parks & Recreation - 24

Who, What, Where & how Around the Parks

P U B LI C H E A LT H

Made in the Shade
un safety is a hot topic
in Australia. W hile public
awareness campaigns about
the damaging effects of sun
exposure began in earnest
in the United States only in the past two
decades, sun protection messages are
deeply ingrained in Australian culture
and norms. For agreeing to participate
in a five-year study evaluating sun safety practices in the two countries, the city
of Denver, Colorado, will receive, free of
charge, sun shade structures in 80 of its
parks by early 2012.
The social environment study, " Use of
Shade in U.S. and Australian City Parks "
project, is being funded by the National
Cancer Institute, American Cancer Society, and American Academy of Dermatology in this country, and by the Cancer
Council of Australia and Australasian
College of Dermatologists in Australia.
Administering the study is Klein Buendel, a firm specializing in the research
and development of behavior change and
community health programs. The study
will examine the use of passive recreation
areas (PRAs) in public parks in both Denver and Melbourne, Australia, when built
shade structures are introduced.
In each city's study sites, numbers of
PRA users will be monitored and compared for such behaviors as use of sun
shade structures, use of other sun safety
practices such as wearing hats and applying sunscreen, and changes in use
of PRAs after the introduction of shade.
Comparisons between behaviors in Melbourne and Denver will help researchers
assess the influence of well established
national sun safety campaigning. (In Australia, for example, school children are
not allowed to go outside for recess without wearing hats-and sunscreen containers are available free to the public in

22	 Parks & Recreation

Apr i l 2 0 1 1

gallon bottles in public swimming areas.)
In essence, the parallel studies will examine the relationship of the social environment, individual factors, physical features
of the setting, and individuals' perceptions of shaded and unshaded PRAs.
Ilima Kane, Klein Buendel's program
manager for the study, says the research
is meant to be " a first step in opening up
discussion about how best to influence
public sun safety behaviors. " The findings of the study could help park and
swimming pool decision-makers determine, for example, how to maximize
their visitors' usage of the various shade
structures they might invest in. From
placement, to dimensions, to signage,
the researchers hope to glean knowledge
that will result in better sun safety practices in the United States and worldwide.
Klein Buendel chose shade sails (lightcolored shade cloth fitted over galvanized

www.NRPA .ORG

steel poles) for the project. Each of the
shade structures will cover between
80 and 120 square meters to maximize
available shade at PRAs in a cost-effective manner. The cloth shade sails were
selected for both durability and aesthetic
appeal, though final design will be determined with input from city staff.
According to David Marquardt, planner for Denver Parks and Recreation, the
city has a great deal to gain from its participation in the study. Denver's altitude
and sunny climate make it a place where
sun protection is especially important.
And its outdoors-loving local culture adds
to the need for effective shade structures
at parks and pools. " We saw this as a positive opportunity to participate in a study
that would benefit our users and enhance
our parks with many additional shaded
areas, " Marquardt says.

-Maureen Hannan

photo courtesy of sun ports shade solutions

S

Denver and Melbourne partner in shade protection research
April 2011 - Parks & Recreation

Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of April 2011 - Parks & Recreation
