What We’re Doing
Transforming schoolyards into community hubs and quality greenspaces where everyone is welcome even after school hours.
Our Goal
Provide close-to-home community spaces where residents can play, connect, and experience the benefits of the outdoors.


A Community Schoolyard is an outdoor school space reimagined to address health, equity, and climate issues, designed through a place-based community-led participatory design process, and open and welcoming to the public. Community Schoolyards are:
Park-like Places
Community Schoolyards function like parks. They are packed with trees, landscaping, play structures, gathering spaces, athletic facilities, public art, and green infrastructure.
Designed by the Community
Community Schoolyards are designed by the community, for the community, through a dynamic participatory design process.
Designed with Intention
Community Schoolyards are designed in a manner that improves health, combats inequities, and mitigates the impacts of climate change.
Welcoming to Everyone
Community Schoolyards are shared spaces that are open and welcoming to the public.

Trust for Public Land is committed to supporting communities in their efforts to reimagine, renovate, and revitalize schoolyards. Our staff includes people from various disciplines and backgrounds, and we’re accustomed to playing multiple roles and helping fill program needs. Our services include:
- Convener
- Facilitator
- Project Manager
- Researcher
- Technical Assistance Provider
- Community Engagement Manager
- Fundraiser
Ready to dig deeper? Explore our interactive maps, school data, and more.
Funding for this program was provided by the Minnesota Environment and Natural Resources Trust Fund as recommended by the Legislative-Citizen Commission on Minnesota Resources (LCCMR). Additional funding is provided by the Center for Prevention at Blue Cross Blue Shield of Minnesota.
2610 University Avenue
Suite 300
St. Paul, MN, 55114
(651) 760-0179
minnesota@tpl.org
Eric Weiss
Community Powered Parks Program Director
Eric.weiss@tpl.org
651-999-5306