Faribault, Minnesota is a rural community in Southern Minnesota with a diverse population. One of its local elementary schools, Jefferson Elementary, serves a student body with nearly 80% of students identifying as a person of color, including many from East African and Latin American communities. Yet their schoolyard doesn’t reflect this vibrant community because it looks more like a patchy field than a modern, quality playground. Through our Minnesota Community Schoolyards program, we’re working to change that.

Our Community Schoolyards program transforms schoolyards into vibrant green spaces and gathering places that serve students and even residents after school hours. When these spaces are open to surrounding neighborhoods, it helps students, families, and residents stay active and healthy by providing a quality, close-to-home park. The community envisions a revitalized playground for outdoor learning, complete with a soccer field, trees, and new play equipment. We’ll work with our partners and the local community to bring their ideas to life and connect more Minnesotans to the benefits of the outdoors.