Concrete to Community: A Schoolyard Makeover in West Philly

With guidance from the Trust for Public Land, third graders at Overbrook Elementary are leading the redesign of their asphalt schoolyard into a vibrant green space, learning valuable skills and creating lasting community impact in the process.

2 minute read

March 31, 2025, 5:00 AM PDT

By Clement Lau


School District of Philadelphia building with large silver title lettering and taller buildings visible in background.

Kyle / ad

At Overbrook Elementary School in West Philadelphia, third graders are taking the lead in transforming their asphalt-covered schoolyard into a vibrant green space with support from the Trust for Public Land (TPL). As part of TPL’s participatory design program, students work in teams, study maps of the schoolyard, and brainstorm ideas — ranging from basketball courts to shaded seating areas. As reported by Celia Bernhardt, the initiative is part of a larger effort by TPL to address the lack of green space in low-income neighborhoods, revamping schoolyards into climate-resilient community spaces that serve both students and the wider public.

Through weekly design sessions, students at Overbrook and other participating schools learn about design, collect community input, and contribute to the development of new outdoor spaces. Once plans are finalized, TPL helps fund, design, and construct the projects, which often include features like trees, play equipment, gardens, and even outdoor performance stages. These green schoolyards are seen as critical for public health, promoting physical activity, improving behavior, reducing suspensions, and enhancing academic performance. At Overbrook, where students lack access to amenities like a gym or auditorium, the redesigned yard will provide a safer and more engaging space to learn and play.

The process not only gives students a physical space to enjoy but also instills confidence, communication skills, and a sense of ownership. Educators and experts agree that involving children in decisions fosters agency and self-advocacy, with potential to positively influence other aspects of their education. As they navigate real-world challenges like budgets and community needs, students gain valuable life lessons. For the young designers at Overbrook, the chance to create something lasting for their school and neighborhood is both empowering and transformative—showing that their voices truly matter.

Thursday, March 13, 2025 in WHYY

portrait of professional woman

I love the variety of courses, many practical, and all richly illustrated. They have inspired many ideas that I've applied in practice, and in my own teaching. Mary G., Urban Planner

I love the variety of courses, many practical, and all richly illustrated. They have inspired many ideas that I've applied in practice, and in my own teaching.

Mary G., Urban Planner

Get top-rated, practical training

Wastewater pouring out from a pipe.

Alabama: Trump Terminates Settlements for Black Communities Harmed By Raw Sewage

Trump deemed the landmark civil rights agreement “illegal DEI and environmental justice policy.”

April 13, 2025 - Inside Climate News

Logo for Planetizen Federal Action Tracker with black and white image of U.S. Capitol with water ripple overlay.

Planetizen Federal Action Tracker

A weekly monitor of how Trump’s orders and actions are impacting planners and planning in America.

4 hours ago - Diana Ionescu

Black and white photos of camp made up of small 'earthquake shacks' in Dolores Park in 1906 after the San Francisco earthquake.

The 120 Year Old Tiny Home Villages That Sheltered San Francisco’s Earthquake Refugees

More than a century ago, San Francisco mobilized to house thousands of residents displaced by the 1906 earthquake. Could their strategy offer a model for the present?

April 15, 2025 - Charles F. Bloszies

Looking out at trees on 4th Street in downtown Los Angeles, California.

LA’s Tree Emergency Goes Beyond Vandalism

After a vandal destroyed dozens of downtown LA trees, Mayor Karen Bass vowed to replace them. Days later, she slashed the city’s tree budget.

1 hour ago - Torched

White and blue Sacramento regional transit bus with one bike on front bike rack.

Sacramento Leads Nation With Bus-Mounted Bike Lane Enforcement Cameras

The city is the first to use its bus-mounted traffic enforcement system to cite drivers who park or drive in bike lanes.

1 hour ago - Streetsblog California

View of downtown Seattle with Space Needle and mountains in background

Seattle Voters Approve Social Housing Referendum

Voters approved a corporate tax to fund the city’s housing authority despite an opposition campaign funded by Amazon and Microsoft.

3 hours ago - Next City