Markham Elementary

Oakland | California

What We’re Doing
Transforming Oakland’s schoolyards from empty lots into green oases

Our Goal
Connect more students and community members to the benefits of the outdoors

Support Our Work in California

A group of children laying on the ground with the words trust for public land.

From asphalt to awesome

350

students served by the schoolyard

new trees planted

The Markham Elementary Story

Markham Elementary is located in Oakland’s Eastmont neighborhood where there is a critical shortage of parks and green space. With few safe, outdoor play spaces for children in the community, Trust for Public Land, Oakland Unified School District, and Green Schoolyards America partnered together to reimagine the space—now providing a beautiful and welcoming schoolyard for students to learn and grow. It’s an incredible resource for the 350 students at Markham, of whom 92% are people of color and 91% live in poverty.

Every element of the renovated schoolyard was designed for students to learn, engage, and experience the joy the outdoors can bring. What was once a hard, concrete surface is now a lush, green soccer field for kids to run and play with friends. A new color basketball court now reflects the vibrancy of the community. Over 75 trees keep kids cool from the hot Californian sun, and the orchard and flower garden allow students to connect with the tranquility of nature. Kids can play on their new jungle gym and the natural play area to expand their learning in the outdoor classroom. TPL is continuing to transform schoolyards like Markham Elementary across Oakland to help build healthier, more resilient communities for generations to come.

About This Project

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Oakland Community Schoolyards

Explore our work at Community Schoolyards across Oakland

Oakland Community Schoolyards

Get in Touch With Our California Team

Los Angeles Office

135 West Green Street
2nd Floor
Pasadena, CA, 91105
(323) 223-0441
losangeles@tpl.org

Sacramento Office

1107 9th Street
Suite 1050
Sacramento, CA, 95814
(916) 557-1673
sacramento@tpl.org

San Francisco Office

23 Geary Street
Suite 1000
San Francisco, CA, 94108
(415) 495-4014
sanfrancisco@tpl.org

Guillermo Rodriguez

Vice President Pacific Region, California State Director

415-800-5267
california@tpl.org