Many people across New England like to spend their free time outdoors enjoying nature, especially in the summertime. With the right approach to the installation of public park trails, municipalities and cities can make these areas more enjoyable, even on the hottest days of summer. An expert asphalt paving contractor can offer specialized asphalt services and additional recommendations that make your park trails more user-friendly. Here are some of the best steps for cooling the asphalt in your city’s trails.
How to Keep Trail Asphalt Cool
Use Cooling Paving Techniques
Public park trails are the preferred extracurricular areas for walkers, joggers, and bike riders every summer. Although it may be upwards of 90 degrees during the summer in Massachusetts, your asphalt paving can help keep the area cool. According to the Environmental Protection Agency, one way to do that is a cool paving material that “reflect more solar energy, enhance water evaporation, or have been otherwise modified to remain cooler than conventional pavements.” Between cool asphalt and a specialty cooling sealcoat, there are options that your asphalt installers can offer.
Invest in Landscaping
One easy way to provide shade and cooling to your park trails is to invest in landscaping. Trees are a fantastic way to keep the sun’s rays away from the asphalt paving. Trees, bushes, and smart landscaping designs can easily keep the sun from beaming onto the blacktop and heating your park trails. If you can keep the trails shaded from direct sunlight, you can avoid the intense radiating heat that gets trapped in the pavement daily. Not only do trees provide a comfortable outdoor area for people to enjoy, but they also keep you from doing frequent asphalt repair and sealing. The sun can do damage to your paving and make outdoor recreation unbearable.
Install the Right Amenities
If you can’t beat the heat, you can still provide amenities to the public that make their trail experience more enjoyable. One thing you can do is to have water fountains installed strategically throughout the walking area. If pedestrians have access to water, they’re more likely to spend more time enjoying the park. Also, having water misting stations or even fountains throughout the area makes for a smart way to keep cool in the summer. Things like splash pads and benches are also great ways to provide the public with options for outdoor recreation. Work closely with your asphalt and paving company to install your park walking trails in areas that make it easy to provide more amenities.
Hire the Right Contractor
Before installing a walking trail in your town, make sure you’re working with a company that understands the paving process. Not all paving projects are alike. Walking trails are a much different project than residential driveway paving or asphalt parking lots. Cassidy Paving has had many years of experience in municipal park installation. We always approach these projects with an eye on proper design for public use. Give us a call today at 866-978-9788 if you need help cooling your park trails or installing the right asphalt.
