Ekibin Park East in Greenslopes is set to have brand new shade sails as part of the Council’s new Sun Safe Suburban Playgrounds program.
“Ekibin Park East, on Ridge Street at Greenslopes will soon have brand new shade sails,” Councillor Fiona Cunningham’s social media post last 22 December 2022 reads.
“It’s part of our promise to ensure every playground in Brisbane has shade in the next 3 years.
In some locations it will be shade sails and in others, where possible, large mature trees,” she said.
In a separate announcement last 11 December, Lord Mayor Schrinner revealed the first 41 playgrounds to be retrofitted with shade covers. He said that the $10 million three-year program to be rolled out over the next three years will ensure that every playground in Brisbane has shade to help protect parents, carers and children.
“Brisbane has an enviable lifestyle as well as a network of more than 2000 fantastic parks that make for great free fun for families,” Cr Schrinner said.
“However, we also live in a state that’s known as one of the world’s skin cancer capitals.
“While we incorporate shade in all our new playgrounds when required, there are unfortunately some that still need to be retrofitted with some form of cover.
“Under our Sun Safe Suburban Playgrounds program, Council will identify those playgrounds that need cover and ensure they receive it over the next three years.
“This program is in addition to our ongoing investment in new and improved parks and playgrounds throughout Brisbane suburbs.
Three local suppliers and manufacturers were already commissioned to make and install the shade sails at the first package of playgrounds in Alderley, Durack, Heathwood, and Runcorn under the Sun Safe Suburban Playgrounds program. A further nine playgrounds will also get shade sails under the Sun Safe Suburban Playgrounds program.
“Many parents of young children like me would know only too well that playgrounds without shade are off limits for large parts of the day, particularly during Brisbane’s hotter months.
“Our program will be pivotal to ensuring that when the sun is up our parks are cooler for everyone.
“Brisbane is the best place in the world to live and programs like this are helping to make it even better.”
Cancer Council Queensland Chief Executive Officer Mr Andrew Donne said he applauds the Lord Mayor for the project that will create more shady recreational space and that it is a “great step in reducing skin damage and risk of skin cancer for Brisbane kids.
“It is well known that Australia has the highest rate of melanoma in the world, and without sun protection skin damage can occur in as little as 15 minutes,” Mr Donne said.
“What I must convey however, is that skin cancer is one of the most preventable cancers.”
Mr Donne added that people can do their part to improve sun safety by slipping on protective clothing, applying SPF 30+ sunscreen, using a broad-brimmed hat, seeking shade and sliding on wraparound sunglasses.
It is estimated that some 150 playgrounds will be upgraded with shade as the program will boost the current average of one new shade at 10 playgrounds each year to about 50 playgrounds per year.
“Where possible, we will also look at investing in planting of mature trees rather than sails,” Cr Schrinner said.
“Trees not only create a cleaner, greener Brisbane but are also a great source of shade.”
Over the next six months, these playgrounds will receive shade under the 2022-23 Sun Safe Suburban Playgrounds Program:
| Park Name | Suburb |
| Akuna Street Park | Kenmore |
| Austin Uhlmann Park | Morningside |
| Barwin Street Park | Wakerley |
| Beckett Road Park | Mcdowall |
| Bliss Street Park | Gaythorne |
| Broula Park | Stafford Heights |
| Buckley Street Park | Carina Heights |
| Cannon Hill BusHland Reserve | Cannon Hill |
| Castamore Way Park | Richlands |
| Chester Park Reserve | Mount Gravatt East |
| Crawford Road Park | Wynnum West |
| Dianthus Street Park (South) | Wakerley |
| Doulton Street Park | Calamvale |
| Ed Kuepper Park | Oxley |
| Ekibin Park South | Annerley |
| Ferny Grove Picnic Ground Park | Ferny Grove |
| Fiddlewood Crescent Park | Bellbowrie |
| Fig Tree Pocket Riverside Reserve | Fig Tree Pocket |
| Garrett Park | Runcorn |
| Gordon Crescent | Wakerley |
| Greenhills Park | Alderley |
| Harry Kirby Park | Aspley |
| Heers Park | Manly West |
| Kings Park | Keperra |
| Kuranda Street Park | Balmoral |
| Linacre Street Park | Durack |
| Moora Park | Shorncliffe |
| Narrung Street Park | Middle Park |
| Nixon Park | Oxley |
| Robert Hanley Park | Seven Hills |
| Rotary Park | Heathwood |
| Sanananda Park | Darra |
| Tryon Street Park | Upper Mount Gravatt |
| Breene Court Park | Carindale |
| Milton Urban Common | Milton |
| Hamish Street Park | Calamvale |
| Kalinga Park | Kalinga |
| Orleigh Park | West End |
| Bacton Road Park | Chandler |
| Ekibin Park East | Greenslopes |
| Mingoola Park | Murarrie |
And under the 2022-23 Suburban Works Program:
| Park Name | Suburb |
| Frank Sleeman Park | Boondall |
| O’callaghan Park | Zillmere |
| Selkirk Crescent Park | Upper Kedron |
| Sunset Place Park | Mcdowall |
| Lambertia Close Park | Mount Gravatt East |
| Ross Park | Nundah |
| Robinson Park | Fairfield |
| Spencer Park | Newmarket |
| Kitchener Park | Wynnum West |
Published 2-January-2023
