Boardwalk in the sun, Robinson Preserve, Bradenton, FL

Photo credit: Ryan Ketterman Photography

Summer is the perfect time to be outdoors, whether it’s the beach, park, or a scenic trail. But, just as it’s important to prepare your outdoor structures for winter, it’s critical to ensure the summer safety of your residents or visitors. This applies whether you’re designing, maintaining, or actively using the structure.

Heat Protection Matters

Whether you’re using a dune crossover to get to the beach, walking along a boardwalk with bridges, or lounging under a pavilion, long hours in the heat and sun can lead to discomfort or even heat-related illness. Covered areas like gazebos and trellises can offer shade, which can provide a place to get cool in recreational or rest areas. When planning the location of a covered structure, think about placing them in high-traffic zones like trail intersections of waterfront access points. Shaded areas can also be ideal places to add seating, signage, and water stations, especially during community events.

Watch Surface Temperatures

Playground with covered seating, Salinas Park, Cape San Blas, FL

Photo credit: Ryan Ketterman Photography

Any surface can heat quickly in the sun, but especially in the summer. When choosing materials like wood, composite decking, and metal railings, consider their ability to stay cool. Sometimes, they can be treated with heat-reflective coatings. Lighter colors generally absorb less heat and reduce the risk of burns from walking barefoot or touching exposed surfaces. Metals with lighter colors can still get hot, though, so it’s important to have a construction expert who has experience with different materials and can help you choose the safest ones for your project.

The summer heat – combined with more frequent use – can also speed wear of materials. Be sure to schedule regular inspections to identify warping, splintering, or other heat-related wear. These can cause hazards and should be repaired as soon as possible after the inspection.

Accessibility and Comfort

Wide bridge with railings, Rothenbach Park, Sarasota, FL

Hot weather doesn’t slow down outdoor use. In fact, it increases it. Accessibility is a key component of ensuring the safety of any outdoor area. Sloped ramps can be used instead of or in addition to stairs. You can also include wide walkways and rest stops with benches and railings. All of these support safe navigation for everyone.

When adding railings, make sure they’re sturdy and placed at an appropriate height for children, adults, and users of mobility devices. Sudden afternoon storms can leave standing water on walkways, so non-slip surfacing can help keep those surfaces from being slick and dangerous.

Waterfront Safety

Waterfront structures need additional attention, including solid construction and routine checks. These regular inspections can help make sure wood isn’t rotting and hardware isn’t loosening from water exposure or sun damage.

Near the beach or other ecologically sensitive areas, consider the habitat as well as the safety of visitors. Dune crossovers, for example, protect the delicate dune ecosystem while giving beachgoers a safe, elevated pathway to the water. For human users, make sure the walkways have handrails, wide treads, and maybe even coverings or rest platforms for sun protection. This can help keep people traveling on the walkway and make sure all life – human, animal, and plant – is as safe as possible.

Prepare and Maintain

Maintenance is always important to outdoor structures, but especially in extreme temperatures like summer. From sanding down rough spots or securing loose boards on decks to checking the hardware on railings, regular upkeep ensures the safety of visitors. A well-maintained outdoor structure not only enhances the look of a space, but it ensures it’s ready for heavy seasonal use.

If you’re looking to build a new structure for summer visitors or need to prepare and maintain existing structures, look no further than Nature Bridges. Contact us today to explore design and maintenance services that can help you stay safe, cool, and connected to nature.