Blackstone Elementary Community Schoolyard

Imagine a schoolyard built just for you. What would you and your community need? Gardens that bring people together? New places for children to play? Less asphalt that makes the neighborhood hotter? A mural that reflects the history and culture of the community?

Trust for Public Land is excited to help bring these possibilities to Blackstone Elementary.

Serving more than 580 students and located within a 10-minute walk of more than 25,000 residents in Boston, MA, Blackstone Elementary has the potential to be a space enjoyed by students and neighbors alike. Transforming this campus into a community schoolyard will prioritize a variety of play and gathering options. With 28% of students having disabilities, the design will focus on spaces that support different ages, interests, and ways of engaging. After school hours, this new green space will give students room to play, neighbors a place to gather, and the entire community a cooler, healthier place to connect during hot summer months.

We’re excited to support Blackstone Elementary as it enters this next chapter. TPL is working with students, educators, and neighbors to shape the future of the schoolyard through our participatory design process. With community ideas guiding the vision, Trust for Public Land will pursue grant funding to bring it to life and open this new community schoolyard for everyone to enjoy by 2028.

Download the One-Pager