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Asphalt to Ecosystems: Design Ideas for Schoolyard Transformation

John Milton

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Schoolyards are more than just playgrounds. They are outdoor classrooms, social spaces, and havens for imagination and creativity.

Asphalt to Ecosystems: Design Ideas for Schoolyard Transformation

by Howard Mansfield

4.7 out of 5

Language	:	English
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Print length	:	287 pages

Unfortunately, many schoolyards are nothing more than barren asphalt lots. They are hot, noisy, and uninviting. They offer little opportunity for children to learn, play, or connect with nature.

But it doesn't have to be this way. With a little creativity and effort, schoolyards can be transformed into vibrant ecosystems that support learning, play, and well-being.

The Benefits of Greening Schoolyards

There are many benefits to greening schoolyards. These include:

Improved air quality: Trees and plants remove pollutants from the air, making schoolyards healthier places for children to play and learn.
Reduced noise levels: Vegetation can help to absorb noise, creating a more peaceful and conducive learning environment.
Increased biodiversity: Green schoolyards provide a habitat for a variety of plants and animals, which can help to teach children about the importance of biodiversity.

li>Improved student health and well-being: Spending time in nature has been shown to improve children's physical and mental health, including reducing stress and improving focus.

Increased opportunities for learning: Green schoolyards can be used for a variety of outdoor learning activities, such as science, math, and social studies.
Enhanced school pride and community involvement: Green schoolyards can help to create a sense of pride and ownership among students and the community.

Inspiring Examples of Schoolyard Transformations

There are many inspiring examples of schoolyard transformations around the world. Here are a few:

P.S. 216 The Green School in New York City: This schoolyard was transformed into a lush garden oasis with a variety of plants, trees, and seating areas. The schoolyard is now used for outdoor learning, play, and community events.

Earl Haig Secondary School in Toronto, Canada: This schoolyard was transformed into a sustainable outdoor learning environment with a rain garden, a vegetable garden, and a variety of native plants. The schoolyard is now used for a variety of outdoor learning activities, including science, math, and social studies.

John Muir Elementary School in Berkeley, California: This schoolyard was transformed into a natural play space with a variety of play structures, a sand pit, and a water feature. The schoolyard is now used for play, learning, and community events.

Tips for Creating a Green Schoolyard

If you are interested in greening your schoolyard, there are a few things you can do:

Start with a vision: What do you want your green schoolyard to look like? What do you want it to be used for? Once you have a vision, you can start to develop a plan.
Get buy-in from the school community: It is important to get buy-in from the school community, including students, teachers, parents, and administrators. This will help to ensure that the green schoolyard is supported and used by the entire community.
Find funding: Greening a schoolyard can be expensive. There are a variety of funding sources available, including grants, donations, and crowdfunding.
Design the schoolyard: This is where you can get creative! There are many different ways to design a green schoolyard. Some things to consider include the age of the students, the size of the schoolyard, and the climate. |
Build the schoolyard: This is the fun part! Once you have a design, you can start to build your green schoolyard. This is a great opportunity to involve students, teachers, and parents in the process.
Maintain the schoolyard: Once your green schoolyard is built, it is important to maintain it. This includes watering the plants, mowing the grass, and removing any trash or debris.

Greening schoolyards is a great way to improve the health and well-being of students, teachers, and the community. It is also a great way to create a more sustainable and beautiful school environment.

If you are interested in greening your schoolyard, I encourage you to start with a vision and get buy-in from the school community. With a little creativity and effort, you can transform your schoolyard into a vibrant ecosystem that supports learning, play, and well-being.

For more information on schoolyard greening, please visit the following resources: