One more picture with orientation of playground.

I would go with sail shades. They work great

Yes . we just had one company come out and talk to us about a sail. The price was $3000 for just one that would cover just the swing portion. He suggested 2 to cover whole playground set. Is this market value? Would a few trees placed strategically do the trick to cover swing portion and look just as good and be less expensive? Thanks

Over time, trees would be great, but it will take years for trees to get large enough to shade the Play set and by then, your Kids probably won't Play with it any longer. I would look around for pricing. You could probably install Posts on your own and order a sail to attach. I live in Switzerland and see them all over the place for much cheaper. Things are NEVER cheaper here.

Check out Lowes.com and overstock.com. $3000 Sounds really high.

Trees won't help for years. I planted one for shade on our patio, just getting shade after 17 years plus trees will leave all kinds of debris on the play set. Try to make your own shade sails price canvas at a local fabric store or sail makers

Yeah I think it's expensive too:-( I'll check lowes and overstock but I might need a serious tutorial on what size to select and then how to install :-(

If you look online for sail shades, you will find at really good prices. We had quotes from some company that does only this, and the cost for our pergola to be covered was through the roof. If you can install the posts yourself or have a good contractor who can do that (it shouldn't be much at all), it would be a lot cheaper than $3000

Check this one also http://www.backyardcity.com/Shade-Sails-Sunbrella.htm
I have cushions and umbrella made from Sunbrella fabric and they are great. The color is still there and the material holds up well

Thank you so much for all the information. I'm looking at the websites and seeing some sails that are definitely very affordable. Would you suggest triangular shade? Should I be looking for a specific size or do they all come in one size?

I guess you could do triangular to give some design interest. As for the size,,see which one works best for you..Forgot to mention that they come in different sizes

Costco has sail shades currently. If you could do the posts to match their size it maybe would do the trick

I bought a sail shade several yrs ago from overstock. Worked great in covering the back patios of 2 different homes.

Good minds are thinking alike on this one!!!
http://m.costco.com/Coolaroo-Ready-to-Hang-Shade-Sail-13'--Triangle.product.100090440.html

it does look really cool and I like the instant shade possibility! How did you all hang these sails you've installed in your homes? Any tips on adding post installation as far as How to do it and where to do it? The guy who came out to give us the estimate was talking about one post build slightly east of swings and second one being an L shaped extension post from treehouse of playset and the third corner of sail attaching to the tree via a ring. This sounds pretty complicated??? Any easier options to hang these sails? I'm having an alluminum pergola build later on this week I could alway ask that company to build the post for me??? Just afraid about specifics to make sure once post are build and the sails are bought and hung will they in fact be in the right position to block sun... Thanks again

I'm sure you can sweet talk the Pergola guys into helping you out. Make some goodies and bring them coffee. :) Works like a charm. Even if they can't do it for you, they will definately be able to give you some Sound advice on what you Need to do. If you are still worried, look for how-to Videos on Youtube. You can learn how to do just about anything and Videos are so much easier than reading instructions.

The pergola people can do it for you for sure. it's not complicated for them.,,just some poles. We are thinking of getting a sail for our pergola, which will be done in about two weeks or so. Like Lori said, some cookies, coffee and they will do it for you:)

Lowes sells those "sail shades" we are actually look at those when considering a pool.... do to small children getting in and needing some shade... So I love the sail idea. Oh saw Marke B. said costco has them too. Humm Lowes has the same brand ....cost was reasonable.

Sail Shades are a great playground shade option because they protect little ones from dangerous UV rays as well as cooling down equipment from little hands.

You can always purchase a mature tree. Because you have electrical wires hanging so low over your property, sail shades might be a better solution.

Check out Ikea for sail shade $29.00