DC Community Schoolyards

Our Washington, DC Community Schoolyards program is reimagining empty schoolyards into modern parks where children and community members can gather, play, explore, and soak up the benefits of time spent outside. In far too many communities across the District, especially in lower income neighborhoods and communities of color, access to the outdoors is out of reach.

We’re working to change that by bringing nature closer to home—one schoolyard at a time.

We have demonstrated success in partnership with school districts, community-based organizations, and other local partners to renovate nearly 350 schoolyards in 23 states across the country. Now, it’s time for the District of Columbia to enjoy the benefits these schoolyards can bring.

We’re partnering with Maya Angelou Public Charter School and Elsie Whitlow Stokes Community Freedom Public Charter School and other nonprofit organizations and district agencies on our first local schoolyard. Together, we’ll focus on increasing the schoolyard’s grass, gardens, and trees. We’ll install fun recreation equipment and climate-smart features to keep the entire neighborhood cool and dry. We’ll build outdoor learning space so students and teachers can immerse themselves in nature education. But the fun doesn’t stop there. This space will be open to the public even after school hours.

By working closely with students, teachers and neighbors, we’re building spaces that put the community at their cores. The result? A fun green space that meets the needs of the entire neighborhood and connects more people to the joys and benefits of the outdoors.