Brisbane City Council approaches final stretch of shade sail rollout

With the intention to protect the city’s youngest residents from the heat and sun, Brisbane City Council is on the final stretch of its three-year accelerated program to install shade at 150 playgrounds.

Works on the final 34 playgrounds of the project are scheduled for completion by the end of June 2025, with construction of the final shade sails now getting underway.

The Sun Safe Suburban Playgrounds program has installed shade sails at 116 playgrounds since starting in 2022.

Announcing the progress on the project, City of Brisbane Lord Mayor, Adrian Schrinner stated “as a father of four, I know it’s critical to keep kids shielded from the harsh UV rays, and the steps we take to protect them now will hopefully help them later in life.

“Playgrounds create more to see and do in our suburbs and the Sun Safe Suburban Playground upgrades mean kids can stay cool and out of the sun while playing outdoors.

“As part of the program shade was delivered at 50 playgrounds in the first year, 66 in the second, and the final 34 are now getting underway.

“This investment is a key part of our ongoing commitment to invest in our suburban and continually improve our public spaces to create an even better lifestyle for Brisbane.”

All 150 playgrounds will have an increased level of shade during the hottest parts of the day upon completion of the program, with the shade sails designed to cover and cool the footprint of each playground.

The final round of upgrades begins with work at the following playgrounds:

• Perkins Street Playground at Nell Jones OAM Park in Sandgate

• Gum Nut Nook Playground in McDowall

• Laurina Crescent Playground in McDowall

• Warburton Park Playground in Virginia

• Biran Street Playground at Bowie’s Flat Park in Camp Hill

• Barramundi Street Playground in Manly West.

Moving forward, the Council will deliver shade to more playgrounds as part of budgeted upgrades.

Image: A worker on Brisbane's Sun Safe Suburban Playground program.