Summer in Barcelona is a time of joy and outdoor activities. However, the extreme heat is driving children away from the city’s playgrounds, transforming play areas into inhospitable zones that are difficult to enjoy.
This situation highlights the need to consider creative solutions so that children can continue to enjoy moments of fun and play during the hottest months of the year.
On a sunny day last August, the thermometer read 32 degrees in Barcelona. However, in the Jardins de la Indústria, for example, a popular playground in the city, conditions were much more extreme.
The wooden horses that are part of the playing structure reached 44 degrees and the temperature of the rubber flooring, designed to provide a soft and safe surface, reached an astonishing 58.1 degrees.
These measurements shed light on an emerging problem: the heat is turning many parks into inhospitable places for children, limiting their ability to enjoy the outdoors and play.
Summer heat keeps children away from playgrounds in Barcelona
The Jardins de la Indústria, also known as the Gardens of the Swallow because of the bird-shaped wooden sculpture that adorns the center of the park, are an example of how extreme heat can affect children’s play experience.
Despite being included in the list of the top five playgrounds in the city, the effects of the heat have led to this place being mostly empty for much of the day.
Even in the early morning hours, when the sun is not yet at its highest point, conditions in the park can become uncomfortable and dangerous.
An additional problem is the lack of shade in the park, resulting in even higher temperatures in the play structures and on the ground.
While the lack of shade may be desirable during the cooler months, in summer it becomes an obstacle for children to play safely and comfortably.
The effects on the child population
The experience in the Jardins de la Indústria reflects a broader problem facing children in Barcelona and other cities affected by rising temperatures.
Outdoor spaces that were once havens of fun and play are now becoming places that children avoid because of the extreme heat.
Another important factor to consider is educating the community about the risks of extreme heat and the importance of staying hydrated and protected from the sun, especially for children.
