Community Schoolyard Renovation Application

Applications will be scored according to the matrix provided in this application, with school commitment, readiness, and need being most important. As we build a statewide program, we want to ensure a mix of geography and community types. As such, we have set an intention of funding an equal mix of projects in Greater Minnesota and within the Twin Cities metro.

Trust for Public Land recognizes the unfortunate reality that many of our schoolyard spaces would benefit from a renovation. However, with limited resources, we must prioritize schools that most urgently need access to high-quality green space. We recognize some schools have opened since that analysis. If your school was not included in the analysis or opened after 2020, we will work with you to gather the appropriate data.

Schools will be scored out of 100 points, based on the following criteria: commitment, readiness, area of need, vision, partnerships, availability of resources. See the scoring matrix for further details.

This program is funded through the Environment and Natural Resources Trust Fund (ENRTF). In 1988, 77 percent of Minnesota voters approved a constitutional amendment establishing the ENRTF—a constitutionally dedicated fund that originates from a combination of Minnesota State Lottery proceeds and investment income. The purpose of ENRTF is to provide a long-term, consistent, and stable source of funding for activities that protect, conserve, preserve, and enhance Minnesota’s air, water, land, fish, wildlife, and other natural resources for the benefit of current citizens and future generations.

TPL community schoolyards have been recommended for funding by the Legislative-Citizen Commission on Minnesota Resources (LCCMR). That recommendation is being considered by the Minnesota Legislature but has not yet been approved. While we have strong indications this will be approved, there is a slight chance this may not occur, in which case Trust for Public Land reserves the right to delay and/or cancel this cohort round of applications.

Trust for Public Land is seeking additional public and private dollars to enhance and expand this program. If you are or know of a potential partner for this work, please contact Anna Callahan at [email protected].

Trust for Public Land will support selected schools through a multi-year community schoolyard project during the 2026–2029 school years: 

Year 1: Participatory Design – 2026-2027 

TPL engages students, teachers, families, and community members in a collaborative design process to envision the future schoolyard.  

Year 2: Design and Construction – 2027-2028 

Landscape architects translate the community ideas into final plans and construction occurs in the Summer of 2028.

Year 3: Activation and Stewardship – 2028-2029 

TPL supports the school in activating and stewarding the new space through community events, garden clubs, teacher and curriculum support, and continued community engagement.

The Environment and Natural Resources Trust Fund (ENRTF) works under a reimbursement model. A regrant agreement between TPL and schools will establish the partnership and reimbursement protocols.

Schools are expected to manage construction and related bidding, contractor agreements, and maintenance. Trust for Public Land can provide limited technical assistance and support as needed.

When partners are able to provide their own additional capital investment funds, it opens doors to leveraging those dollars for greater impact. It is most helpful when matching funds are allocated through an agreement or capital improvement budget allocation. Matching funds may come from school, local, grant, or donor funds. Planned renovation projects for traditional projects can be used as a match.

Coupling this opportunity with a planned playground, athletic field, basketball court, or other traditional site improvement project is a perfect fit. Projects planned for Summer 2028 are ideal. We will work with your team to align site design, timeline, and funding.

If selected, TPL will work with you to secure additional funding, although additional funding cannot be guaranteed.

The Student Leader Class is a great way to engage and educate students on a number of topics through a real-world project and place they care about deeply. The program can be scaled to meet school/teacher needs, but typically runs 7-8 weeks, once a week, for an hour each week. In an elementary school setting, we recommend the Student Leader Class program for a 3rd or 4th grade class. For secondary schools, the program is more flexible. While TPL staff provide all materials and present content, the program works best when classroom teachers are actively involved to make connections to class concepts/content and integrate with school behavior norms. 

In addition, Trust for Public Land can provide limited technical assistance as well as more substantive fee-for-service project management and engagement support if your playground project budget would allow. Contact Program Director, Anna Callahan at [email protected] for more information.

Yes! Join one of our upcoming webinars to learn more about community schoolyards and the application process.