Objectives: To provide novel quantification and advanced measurements of surface temperatures (T-s) in playgrounds, employing multiple scales of data, and provide insight into hot-hazard mitigation techniques and designs for improved environmental and public health. Methods: We conduct an analysis of T-s in two Metro-Phoenix playgrounds at three scales: neighborhood (1 km resolution), microscale (6.8 m resolution), and touch-scale (1 cm resolution). Data were derived from two sources: airborne remote sensing (neighborhood and microscale) and in situ (playground site) infrared T-s (touch-scale). Metrics of surface-to-air temperature deltas (Delta Ts-a) and scale offsets (errors) are introduced. Results: Select in situ T-s in direct sunlight are shown to approach or surpass values likely to result in burns to children at touch-scales much finer than T-s resolved by airborne remote sensing. Scale offsets based On neighbourhood and microscale ground observations are 3.8 degrees C and 7.3 degrees C less than the Delta Ts-a, at the 1 cm touch-scale, respectively, and 6.6 degrees C and 10.1 degrees C lower than touch-scale playground equipment T-s, respectively. Hence, the coarser scales underestimate high T-s within playgrounds. Both natural (tree) and artificial (shade sail) shade types are associated with significant reductions in T-s. Conclusions: A scale mismatch exists based on differing methods of urban T-s measurement. The sub-meter touch-scale is the spatial scale at which data must be collected and policies of urban landscape design and health must be executed in order to mitigate high T-s in high-contact environments such as playgrounds. Shade implementation is the most promising mitigation technique to reduce child burns, increase park usability, and mitigate urban heating. (C) 2015 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.