Transforming schoolyards for play and learning

Space to Grow Schoolyards

Location	Chicago, Illinois
Client	Chicago Public Schools
Expertise	Resilience & Sustainability, Inclusive & Accessible Design, Community Collaboration
Completion	2016 - present

Since 2016, we have collaborated with the Space to Grow program on schoolyard renovations across Chicago. Led through a partnership among Chicago Public Schools, the Healthy Schools Campaign, Openlands, the Metropolitan Reclamation District of Greater Chicago (MWRD), and the Chicago Department of Water Management, Space to Grow transforms underutilized schoolyards across Chicago into vibrant, multifunctional spaces for play, learning, gardening, and enjoying the outdoors.

Community Gathering

Each schoolyard is thoughtfully designed to reflect the unique character and needs of its surrounding community, with a focus on physical activity, outdoor learning, and community engagement.

Green Infrastructure

A central component of the program is the integration of green infrastructure strategies that reduce neighborhood flooding and manage stormwater on site, demonstrating how schoolyards deliver meaningful environmental and educational benefits.

Hands-on Learning

The redesigned landscapes function as extensions of the classroom, offering opportunities for hands-on learning and exploration through outdoor classrooms, native plants, and kitchen gardens. They also support a wide range of physical activities, from playgrounds to recreational areas, including multi-purpose fields, running tracks, basketball courts, and tennis courts.