Building Community and Resilience: Space to Grow is Adding Five New Green Schoolyards in Chicago

Bradwell students created schoolyard dioramas to share their ideas and inspire the design of their future green space.

Five Chicago public schools are getting vibrant new green schoolyards through Space to Grow! These transformations — currently underway at Bradwell School of Excellence, James Farmer Jr. Elementary School, Mollison IB World School, Ryder Math & Science Specialty School and Emmett Till Fine & Performing Arts School — will bring outdoor learning, active play, community connection and green stormwater infrastructure to school communities across Chicago. The new schoolyards replace asphalt lots with safe, engaging green spaces that are especially needed in neighborhoods disproportionately affected by flooding and a lack of access to nature and high-quality green spaces.

Space to Grow is an innovative partnership co-founded by Healthy Schools Campaign and Openlands to transform Chicago schoolyards into vibrant community spaces while addressing neighborhood flooding. The program is made possible through capital funding, leadership and expertise provided by Chicago Public Schools, the Chicago Department of Water Management, the Chicago Department of Environment and the Metropolitan Water Reclamation District of Greater Chicago.

Since its inception, Space to Grow has transformed 36 schoolyards into shared green spaces. The program addresses critical needs for play and park space, outdoor learning, recreation and community engagement, while also addressing local flooding with special design features like rain gardens, permeable surfaces and turf fields with underground storage.

Each schoolyard is designed through a collaborative and inclusive process, gathering input and ideas from students, parents and caregivers, teachers, school leaders and staff and community members to create spaces that reflect local needs and priorities.

Here’s what these school principals had to say about Space to Grow:

“Our school faced challenges with limited outdoor space, and there was no safe place for children to play in the community. The new schoolyard will provide a fun, secure environment where students can build friendships, practice social-emotional skills, and take pride in their school.” – Principal Brittany Neal, Bradwell

“Our outdoor space is entirely concrete, making it unsafe for students to play sports and engage in active games. Without greenery or dedicated areas for outdoor learning, students miss out on important opportunities for exploration, creativity, and movement. We are extremely excited and grateful about the opportunity presented by Space to Grow, which will provide a safe, dynamic space for play, sports, and hands-on learning.” – Principal Marla Reid, Farmer

“Mollison is on a journey of transformation. This new space will encourage Bronzeville families to take a second look at our school and the many opportunities we offer, in addition to entrusting us to educate their children.” – Principal Shelagh Jackson, Mollison

“Although we have a large outdoor space, the space is without structure and provides limited opportunities for our students. We hope that the new schoolyard will not only create more activities for our students, but also meet the needs of our diverse learner population, which makes up a third of our school.” – Assistant Principal Jamila Clay, Ryder

“Receiving this amazing opportunity to design a new schoolyard and community space is a dream come true. The most exciting part was the engagement process—students, staff, parents, community members, and partners all had a voice. Everyone was engaged and actively participated in the process.” – Principal Raven Talley, Till

As with all Space to Grow schoolyards, these new spaces will serve as community hubs, offering places to gather, play, learn, and connect with nature. Once these schoolyards open, the program will have 41 schoolyards across Chicago, with more on the way, each one helping to create healthier, greener, and more resilient neighborhoods.

For more information, visit spacetogrowchicago.org and check out the program’s 10-year anniversary and impact report here.