Community Schoolyards INITIATIVE REPORT — FALL/WINTER 2023
Introducing Community Schoolyards® During the holidays, I’m reminded of the joy of childhood. I recently asked a few friends to recall their fondest experience as a child, and each of them shared a story about the outdoors. I recall my own imaginary adventures in the woods behind our farmhouse, where my dogs and I would spend hours hunting for lost treasures. Sadly, too many children don’t have a safe place outside to experience joy. According to Trust for Public Land analysis, parks serving people of color are half the size and 43 percent more crowded than parks in predominately white communities. TPL’s Community Schoolyards Initiative strives to bring nature’s gifts to every child, by converting barren schoolyards into rich environments for learning and play. Accessible outside school hours, these spaces also serve as neighborhood parks and centers for climate resilience. The initiative builds off very successful local programs, notably the New York City Playgrounds Program. Since the late 1990s, TPL has improved and unlocked more than two hundred schoolyards in the city, creating park access for more than five million New Yorkers. Today, TPL is a national leader in schoolyard transformations. We are also a leader in how we approach schoolyards, putting equity at the center of our work. Given the unfair distribution of quality schoolyards, experts at TPL have analyzed every school in the country, examining urban heat, activity levels, academic performance, and population demographics. This data allows us to pinpoint where renovations will have the greatest impact. Our signature design process advances equity as well. We engage students and the broader community in reimagining their schoolyards, so that they better reflect local needs and cultures. While every campus is unique, common features include play equipment and sports fields that promote physical activity. Trees and other greenery that clean and cool the air, and refresh minds and spirits. Native landscaping and learning gardens that promote environmental literacy. Shaded benches that bring neighbors together, and local art that celebrates their heritage. Bioswales that prevent 2 • T R U S T F O R P U B L I C L A N D • T P L . O R G / S C H O O LYA R D S
flooding and absorb precious rainwater. This is a pivotal moment in America. Across the U.S., parents and teachers are demanding solutions for crumbling schools and unsafe schoolyards. With unprecedented levels of federal funding available, Danielle Denk. Photo by TPL Staff Trust for Public Land has positioned Community Schoolyards as the solution, and we are leading the national schoolyards movement. To achieve this ambitious goal, we are working on multiple fronts: forming partnerships with school districts; conducting research; advocating for policies and funding; and creating resources to help local groups take action. If all 100,000 schoolyards in the U.S. were transformed, 80 million people would gain access to a park within a 10-minute walk of home. And 50 million children would experience the joy and wonder of the outdoors, every day. In this first Community Schoolyards Report, you will learn about our progress on the initiative, and what your generous support to TPL has made possible. Thank you. Danielle Denk, Community Schoolyards‚ Initiative Director
YOUR IMPACT 300 Community Schoolyards created 50 school districts engaged in 23 states 300,000 students gain access to the outdoors 6,000,000 residents gain access to local park
10,000,000 gallons of rainwater captured 100,000 new trees planted
PROGRAM SPOTLIGHT
Celebrating ten years in Philadelphia This year, we celebrate ten years of impact in Philadelphia. The Birthplace of America is rich in historic and cultural sites. But one public asset is not shared equally: Low-income residents of Philadelphia have 40 percent less park space than high-income ones. Over the past decade, we have worked with the Philadelphia School District, Parks and Recreation, and the Water Department to close this gap in outdoor access by transforming parks, recreation centers, and schoolyards in underserved areas. These green spaces have begun to redress longstanding disparities in the city and led the district to commit to large-scale renewal of its schools. Moreover, our success in Philadelphia has inspired other cities in Pennsylvania, like Scranton and Pittsburgh, as well as Camden, New Jersey, to partner with us on Community Schoolyards. Designed by students, each schoolyard is unique. At the Southwark School, nestled in an immigrant enclave of South Philadelphia, students worked with local artists to create the schoolyard plan and meaningful mural art. The result was a series of art pieces honoring the importance
Top right: Southwark School. Photo by TPL staff. Above: Students at Taggart School learn about silk worms. Photo by Jenna Stamm
of weaving in their cultures, and their hope for strengthening community bonds. While at the Taggart School in South Philadelphia, garden beds double as hands-on tools for science teachers and vegetable plots for immigrant families. Many residents plant crops from their home countries in Southeast Asia, Africa, and Latin America, which they use for cooking traditional dishes and for sharing their culture with their children and neighbors. In Cobbs Creek, students at Add B. Anderson School felt a sense of hopelessness in the face of poverty, disinvestment, and gun violence. Transforming their schoolyard, however, has given them a sense of agency and opportunity. Laurena Zeller, the school’s principal, said, “When we change the opportunities, when we change the perspectives, when we change the possibilities of a child, we impact the community, and when we impact the community, we impact the nation and the world.” You can hear more about this renewal on National Public Radio. Looking back on a decade in Philadelphia, this program would not have been possible without the visionary leadership of John and Janet Haas. Aware of TPL’s success building playgrounds in New York City’s most underserved neighborhoods, they believed that we could do the same in Philadelphia. Thanks to seed funding from the Haas family, TPL has made an indelible mark on park equity in this city. S C H O O LYA R D S R E P O R T • F A L L / W I N T E R 2 0 2 3 • 3
EMERGING PROGRAM
Partnering with Indigenous communities For Indigenous communities, barren school grounds exacerbate health and environmental disparities and fail to honor Native American cultures. Building on our decades of partnership with Tribes and Indigenous communities, Trust for Public Land has launched a groundbreaking program to remake schoolyards with these communities, beginning with schools operated by the Bureau of Indian Education and those in rural areas. These projects will not only nurture communities, but also demonstrate a national model. Last year, in partnership with the Klamath Tribes, we completed our first pilot project, at Chiloquin Elementary in Oregon.
I want to say thank you to the philanthropic organizations …. For you to put those dollars here into our little corner of the world, for our kids, means a great deal.”
amenities: a playground, basketball court, restored meadow, outdoor classroom, and mural art. Chokecherry, huckleberry, Indian celery, and other plants in the schoolyard hold special significance for the Tribes. There are also signs and audio recordings—in English and Klamath languages—that explain the harvest cycles and when animals like elk and deer were hunted. “There was a lot of culture lost, a lot of language, a lot of understanding among children about who they were,” Art Ochoa, former principal, Chiloquin Elementary, explains. “And I think this schoolyard is going to help both Native and non-Native kids understand the development and history of the Klamath Tribes a little better. And with that understanding, sometimes barriers are broken down.” This schoolyard renewal would not have been possible without the support of dedicated donors, foundations, and government partners.
—Clay Dumont, Klamath Tribal Council Member Nestled in a lush valley surrounded by forested mountains, the town of Chiloquin would appear to have ample resources for outdoor recreation. But this capital of the Klamath Tribes (Klamath, Modoc, and Yahooskin peoples) is nearly landlocked. Forced to cede millions of acres to the U.S. government in the 19th century, these Tribes have little access to the natural environs that, for thousands of years, sustained and were stewarded by their ancestors. Today, outdoor gathering places, especially for children, are few and far between, while elements of Klamath culture have faded from memory. Aware of TPL’s schoolyards initiative, the Klamath Tribal Council asked if we would consider doing a project in a remote town like Chiloquin. While visiting the site, we saw an opportunity to contribute our expertise while learning from the Tribes and partnering on a new model. Over two years, we engaged students and community in reimaging the schoolyard, raised funds, and oversaw the renovation. With the reopening of the schoolyard, students and the town members have a place to play, gather, and learn about the Klamath Tribes’ history and culture. The eight-acre campus features a range of handpicked 4 • T R U S T F O R P U B L I C L A N D • T P L . O R G / S C H O O LYA R D S
Chiloquin Elementary School. Photo by Spayne Martinez
PILOT SCHOOLS After extensive research and outreach, TPL and its
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Santa Fe Indian School, Santa Fe, NM: Serves 709
partners selected a dozen pilot projects based on their
8-12 students in a residential setting operated by
potential benefits: nine tribal schools administered by
the Pueblos of New Mexico. They envision
Bureau of Indian Education and four rural schools with
incorporating climate resilience into campus.
large Indigenous populations.
First cohort of rural pilot schools:
First cohort of Bureau of Indian Education schools:
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Madras Elementary, Madras, OR: Serves 405
Coeur D’Alene, De Smet, ID: Serves 116 students
students grades K-5, many of whom belong to the
grades K-8 and their families in the Coeur D’Alene
Confederated Tribes of the Warm Springs. They
Tribe. The school has a vision for learning outside
envision a space reflecting tribal cultures,
and in traditional structures like longhouses.
languages, and art.
Rock Creek Grant School, Bullhead, SD: Serves 55
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Endazhi-Nitaawiging Charter School, Red Lake,
K-8 students and their families in Lakota Oyate
MN: Serves 95 K-6 grade students from the Red
Tribe at the Standing Rock Indian Reservation.
Lake Band of Chippewa Indians. They envision
They envision a schoolyard where students can
learning spaces that foster Ojibwe traditions,
experience belonging and fulfill cultural heritage.
connections to nature, and restorative healing.
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ADVOCACY
Generating funds for schoolyards Trust for Public Land is harnessing overwhelming public support for green spaces to make Community Schoolyards the national standard. By passing government policies and generating public funding, we can build the foundation for scaling our initiative across the country. Working hand in hand with our government affairs team, we are educating elected officials on the many benefits of Community Schoolyards. We also organize and mobilize diverse stakeholders like public health groups and educational advocates, to endorse enabling legislation and raise awareness.
example, this year the White House increased the Urban and Community Forestry Program budget from $40 million to $1.5 billion, from which TPL secured $10 million for Community Schoolyards. To make the most of this trove of federal funding, we are ramping up our grant applications.
In some states, TPL experts advise local governments and community leaders on how to design and pass ballot measures. Nationally, we have helped pass 648 measures— an 83 percent success rate— generating over $92 billion in voter-approved funding. In large part, funding for Community Schoolyards has been raised at the local level, totaling about $300 million over the past 25 years. However, Trust for Public Land estimates that $80 billion is needed to transform all public schoolyards nationwide. We can close this gap with more state and federal funding. At the state level, TPL is encouraging legislators to direct education funding to building and maintaining Community Schoolyards. Education programs often dwarf those for parks and conservation in state budgets, but schoolyards are not eligible for them despite their proven educational benefits. At the federal level, we are working to tap into a historic windfall of infrastructure funding. The passage of the Bipartisan Infrastructure Bill and Inflation Reduction Act has generated billions of dollars for natural climate solutions like those found in Community Schoolyards. For 6 • T R U S T F O R P U B L I C L A N D • T P L . O R G / S C H O O LYA R D S
Since the strongest advocates for Community Schoolyards are community members themselves, every year TPL invites volunteers from across the country to Washington, DC, to make their voices heard. At these “Day on the Hill” events, constituents urge their elected officials to support funding for schoolyards and other open spaces. Photo by Elyse Leyenberger.
While these landmark bills have increased funding, they fail to address the fundamental way schoolyards are designed and used. TPL and our partners are pushing for legislation that will make Community Schoolyards standard practice across the nation. We are advocating for and supporting legislation that prioritizes schoolyards for outdoor learning and connecting to nature. Our government advocacy depends on support from private donors and foundations. For every $1 given to Trust for Public Land, we generate $2,000 in public funds toward our mission.
PHILANTHROPY
Collaborating with corporate partners
A happy Macy’s crew in Atlanta! Macy’s staff have volunteered at TPL Community Schoolyard events across the country. Photo by Jan Gerstenberger
Trust for Public Land partners with corporations who share our commitment to greener and more accessible schoolyards. From donating significant gifts, to volunteering at events, to amplifying our message, our partners are making a difference in their communities while growing the schoolyard movement. Macy’s Inc., the department store giant, contributes to Community Schoolyards because they support every pillar of their mission: education, mentorship, and sustainability. Macy’s helps scale up our initiative by allowing customers to round up their purchases. Over the past two years, about 3.6 million customers have raised nearly $2.5 million for TPL. Macy’s also offers hands-on help. At Scott Elementary in Atlanta, Macy’s volunteers helped build garden beds that will be used for STEAM learning. Their staff have also volunteered at events in New York, Atlanta, Honolulu, and Cleveland. We’re thrilled that our partnership has been extended through 2026. Major outdoor brands are championing the initiative as well. Nike awarded TPL a generous grant for our schoolyard programs in New York City and Los Angeles, benefiting about 100,000 adults and children. They also released a powerful video about our partnership that has reached over two million viewers. REI , the popular outdoor retailer, lauded the benefits of Community Schoolyards to its more than 23 million
L.L. Bean has always existed to help people experience the restorative power of being outside. Over the past five years, our partnership with TPL has enabled thousands to have greater access to safe and welcoming outdoor spaces close to where they live and work.” —Shawn Gorman, Chairman followers. TPL’s schoolyards have has also been supported by L.L. Bean and The VF Foundation, the philanthropic arm of VF Corporation, whose iconic outdoor and workwear brands include The North Face, Timberland, and Vans. Other companies’ reasons for giving are closer to home. By improving community anchors like schoolyards, they are improving the lives of their employees and their families. Boeing has given to our programs in Tacoma and Los Angeles, where the company has offices. While Delta, headquartered in Atlanta, has given generously to our program in that city. We are deeply grateful to our corporate partners for giving to the initiative and using their global platforms to make Community Schoolyards a household name. S C H O O LYA R D S R E P O R T • F A L L / W I N T E R 2 0 2 3 • 7
INNOVATION
Evaluating schoolyard benefits To build consistent metrics for quantifying project outcomes, we created the Community Schoolyard Evaluation Toolkit. The Toolkit compiles studies on Community Schoolyard benefits, evaluation methods, sample surveys, and links to resources for tracking and measuring these benefits. It has become a fundamental tool that will expand TPL’s impact beyond our own work, enabling districts, nonprofits, and principals to apply for capital funding. It will also allow them to contribute to the body of evidence on Community Schoolyard benefits by conducting their own research. In spring 2024, we will make the Toolkit available to partners online for free. To lead our evaluation efforts, TPL has hired Dara Murray as our inaugural Director of Learning and Evaluation. She is an experienced program evaluator, having worked with various organizations to improve their outcomes and impact. Under Dara’s leadership, we are piloting schoolyard evaluation in six cities: New York, Atlanta, Los Angeles, Tacoma, Dallas, and Philadelphia.
Students at Cesar Chavez Education Center in Oakland, California, measure temperatures on campus. This data informs important choices, like where to plant trees for shade. Photo by Angela DeCenzo
While program evaluation can be painstaking work, Dara says, “What I always come back to is that the research in the field and our experiences in this work for decades, tells us that this makes a difference in the lives of people, and communities, and kids.”
Did you know that planting trees on campus can reduce temperatures by double digits? Or that greening a campus has been shown to improve student learning? By evaluating the impacts of Community Schoolyards, we can maximize their local benefits and make the case for transforming schoolyards nationwide. TPL is quantifying the degree to which Community Schoolyards improve academic, health, and climate outcomes, on and off campus. For example, studies show that students attending schools with green space have higher average attendance, enrollment, and graduation rates—benchmarks that drive the ranking and funding of public schools. While other studies show that greening schoolyards help reduce heat and flooding in vulnerable neighborhoods. Studies like these are shaping best practices in our work and driving government investments in schoolyard renovations. 8 • T R U S T F O R P U B L I C L A N D • T P L . O R G / S C H O O LYA R D S
Community Schoolyards deliver overlapping health, climate, equity, and learning outcomes for the school and surrounding neighborhood.
THANK YOU for helping bring Community Schoolyards to children and families who need them most.
To make an online gift to support TPL’s Community Schoolyards® please visit: tpl.org/donate
Trust for Public Land 23 Geary St., Suite 1000 San Francisco, California 94108 1.800.714.LAND (5263) donor.outreach@tpl.org
Fron t and back cover s: Pa t ter son Elemen t ar y, PA . Pho tos by Jenna St amm