New Study Finds Community Schoolyard Transformations Boost Kids’ Physical Activity and Neighborhood Access to Nature
Students Are 1.5× More Likely to Be Active at Recess, While Community Use of Schoolyards Triples Overall – And Nearly Sixfold for Children for After-school Use
SEATTLE, WA – March 24, 2026 – A new research study by Trust for Public Land on community schoolyard transformations in Tacoma, Washington, finds that redesigning schoolyards with community input can significantly increase children’s physical activity and expand access to outdoor space for surrounding neighborhoods.
The study of schoolyard transformations at two elementary schools in Tacoma found that redesigning schoolyards with community input can help children be more active and expand access to outdoor space for local residents. Renovations completed in partnership by Trust for Public Land, Tacoma Public Schools, and Parks Tacoma added trees and nature areas, walking paths, colorful play markings, and updated play structures.
After the transformations, children were 1.5 times more likely to engage in moderate-to-vigorous physical activity during recess compared with a similar school without renovations. Community use of the schoolyards outside of school hours also increased substantially, with three times greater overall use and nearly six times greater increases in visits by children. The findings highlight how transforming schoolyards into shared green spaces can support children’s health while creating valuable outdoor resources for neighborhoods with limited park access.
The research, led by Trust for Public Land (TPL) Health Director Dr. Pooja Tandon and published by a multi-institutional team in the International Journal of Behavioral Nutrition and Physical Activity, provides new evidence that schoolyards can serve as critical health infrastructure for both students and communities.
“Schoolyards are one of the most underutilized public health resources we have,” said Dr. Pooja Tandon, Health Director at Trust for Public Land and Professor of Pediatrics at the University of Washington. “Our findings show that when these spaces are thoughtfully redesigned with community input and opened for shared use, they can meaningfully increase children’s physical activity and provide safe, accessible outdoor space for entire neighborhoods.”
The study examined two elementary schools in Tacoma that underwent schoolyard redesigns led by TPL, alongside a comparable control school. Renovations included adding trees and nature areas, walking paths, colorful play markings, and modern play structures – all shaped by input from students and neighbors.
The Tacoma Community Schoolyards program is part of TPL’s national effort to expand park access by transforming schoolyards into community-centered spaces, particularly in areas where residents lack nearby parks. In Tacoma, the initiative will ultimately serve more than 40,000 residents who previously had limited access to outdoor recreation.
“We know how important it is for youth and their families to have safe places to play and be active. Tacoma Public Schools is so proud to be a part of the Community Schoolyards program. It’s been a truly collaborative process and we are grateful to the students and community members who helped design these spaces, making it their own and meeting the needs of the community,” said Dr. Josh Garcia, Superintendent, Tacoma Public Schools.
The study also found that different types of play spaces support activity in different ways. After renovation, some of the highest levels of activity occurred in grassy fields, while other schools saw the most activity in paved areas, with colorful markings, highlighting the importance of diverse design features.
“These results reinforce that there’s no one-size-fits-all solution,” said report author, Sarneshea Evans, a TPL Washington program director focused on Tacoma community schoolyards. “What matters is improving and creating a variety of engaging spaces – outdoor learning areas, play structures, and painted surfaces – so all kids can find ways to be active.”
Importantly, the study underscores the role of community engagement in shaping spaces that people actually use. Students, families, and neighbors participated in the design process, helping ensure the final schoolyards reflect local needs and preferences.
“Community schoolyards are a powerful example of how we can reimagine existing public spaces to deliver multiple benefits,” said Cary Simmons, Trust for Public Land’s Director of Community Strategies. “They improve health outcomes for young people during school hours, while also functioning as neighborhood parks after hours—serving as anchors for connection and civic life in communities where safe, accessible outdoor space has historically been limited.”
Key Findings include:
- Schoolyard redesigns boost physical activity – Students at renovated schools were 1.5× more likely to engage in moderate-to-vigorous physical activity during recess.
- Schoolyards function as community parks – Community use increased 3.2× overall with after school and weekend hours, with 5.8× greater increases in visits by children.
- Different play spaces drive activity – Up to 69–75% of observed groups were active in high-use areas like grassy fields and painted play surfaces.
- Expanded access to nature and safe play – The Tacoma program will serve more than 40,000 residents lacking nearby park access.
- Community input drives success – Schoolyards designed with students and neighbors better reflect local needs and encourage use.
Trust for Public Land has played a leading role in advancing community schoolyards nationwide, helping transform more than 350 schoolyards across 26 states, including Washington, Oregon, California, New York, Atlanta, Pennsylvania. Designed to remain open to the public during non-school hours, these schoolyards serve as essential neighborhood green spaces – connecting people to the outdoors, supporting physical and mental health, reducing extreme heat, and helping cities expand park access and improve their overall ParkScore®.
The study, Recess And After-hours Behavior Patterns Associated With Community Schoolyard Transformations, used a quasi-experimental design to evaluate behavior changes before and after schoolyard renovations at two Tacoma elementary schools, compared with a similar control school. Researchers used a validated observational tool to measure physical activity and community use during recess and outside school hours.
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About Trust for Public Land
Trust for Public Land (TPL) is a national nonprofit that works to connect everyone to the benefits and joys of the outdoors. As a leader in equitable access to the outdoors, TPL works with communities to create parks and protect public land where they are needed most. Since 1972, TPL has protected more than 4 million acres of public land, created more than 5,500 parks, trails, schoolyards, and iconic outdoor places, raised $112 billion in public funding for parks and public lands, and connected nearly 10 million people to the outdoors. To learn more, visit tpl.org.
