As cities strive to create healthier, more inclusive communities, a growing number are recognizing the untapped potential of schoolyards. In many urban areas, particularly in underserved neighborhoods, school grounds represent some of the largest pieces of publicly owned land. When designed with intention and opened for community use, green schoolyards can serve as vital neighborhood parks, helping to close park access gaps, reduce urban heat, manage stormwater, and support children’s well-being.
This panel will explore how strategic partnerships between cities, school districts, and community-based organizations are transforming asphalt schoolyards into vibrant, nature-rich spaces that serve students during the school day and entire neighborhoods after hours. The conversation will highlight case studies from diverse cities that have leveraged shared use policies, public-private funding models, and cross-sector collaboration to address equity, climate resilience, and public health through green schoolyard initiatives.
