Starting in March or April, the Cedar Park Parks and Recreation Department aims to begin the second phase of the parks sunshade project that began in 2013.

The project is funded by the Cedar Park 4B Community Development Corporation, which agreed Nov. 12 to allocate $175,000 for the project's second phase. City Council must still approve the funds.

A total of nine shade projects costing about $200,000 were completed in 2013, including within Cedar Bark Park and Brushy Creek Sports Park, Parks and Recreation Director Curt Randa said. Shade structures over playgrounds are planned in six more parks, including two community parks and four neighborhood parks.

"It's helped increase the usage [of the playground], and it's going to help increase the lifespan of the equipment underneath it," Randa said during a presentation to the 4B corporation.

The second phase of the project is the last one planned, he said. The department wanted to shade uncovered playground and recreational equipment in public grounds throughout the city.

"There are a few smaller playgrounds that are close to being replaced, and with the replacement of those playgrounds, we thought we could add some integrated shade structures that are built right into the playground itself," Randa said. "So I think with this plan, we have all of the freestanding separated structures covered."