CHARLOTTE, N.C. — There's a nationwide push to replace thousands of school playgrounds thanks to Mother Nature.
As temperatures continue to rise year after year, playgrounds are becoming dangerously hot for kids. Let's connect the dots.
Older playgrounds were built using asphalt, which only magnifies the health risks of extreme heat. In an interview with the Washington Post, experts at UCLA say schools in bigger cities tend to be even hotter. That's because there's less tree cover, more buildings and more parking lots soaking up the sun's rays.
Hot playgrounds also increase the risk of contact burns and heat illnesses. UCLA researchers have recorded surface temperatures of 145 degrees Fahrenheit on playground asphalt.
Now there's a growing push to plant more trees and reduce pavement surrounding schools to bring those temperatures down. But removing asphalt can be expensive, especially for school districts on an already tight budget.
That's why organizations like The Trust for Public Land have helped renovate more than 300 school playgrounds in 23 states and on tribal lanes.
WCNC Charlotte To Go is a daily news and weather podcast you can listen to so you can start your day with news that impacts you from the team at WCNC Charlotte.
SUBSCRIBE: Apple Podcasts || Spotify || Pandora || TuneIn || Google Podcasts || iHeart
All of WCNC Charlotte's podcasts are free and available for both streaming and download. You can listen now on Android, iPhone, Amazon, and other internet-connected devices. Join us from North Carolina, South Carolina, or on the go anywhere.