To
assess your outdoor space, think about the following questions:
What features are in your space? Do you
have a deck, patio, children’s play or pool area?
What are the activity patterns in the
space? What time of day do you use the space?
Are there shaded areas in your yard? Is
there natural or built shade in your yard?
Where are the areas that have shade:
morning, mid-day and mid-afternoon? How much shade is provided at the
different times of the day?
Consider reflective surfaces such as
concrete, asphalt and sand. Do areas with reflective surfaces such as
patios, pool decks and sand boxes have shade?
Are the areas that you use most
provided with shade throughout the day? Compare your activity patterns and
patterns of shade to determine where more shade is required.
Steps to Plan for Shade:
Involve the Whole Family in Shade Planning
Conduct a Shade Audit
Consider Adding
Natural
or Built Shade or a Combination of Both
Prepare a Plan to Add Shade to Your Yard !
Conduct Your Own Shade Audit!
Draw your backyard. Include your house, patio, deck,
children’s play areas, pool areas, trees, large shrubs or hedges and any
built shade structures
Determine the activity patterns in your yard
Note the ground surfaces such as grass, concrete or
wood
Draw in any shaded areas at different times of the day
including morning, mid-day and
mid-afternoon
Compare your activity patterns and patterns of shade to
determine where more shade is required.
Remember:Surfaces such as concrete, pavement, sand or water will reflect higher levels of
ultraviolet radiation than surfaces such as grass, wood or soil.
