These moments are joyful, but they also point to something bigger.
When students help design their environments, they create spaces that reflect their lived experiences, strengthen their communities, and invite more kids to play, connect, and belong.
Since 2002, TPL has partnered with New York City schools, communities, and city agencies to create 225 Community Schoolyards, transforming nearly $200 million of asphalt into greener, healthier places for learning, recreation, and neighborhood gathering. And we’ve expanded this work to cities, towns, and tribal communities across the United States. Thousands of students have helped shape these spaces, demonstrating that listening to young people leads to better public places for everyone.
We're honored to see this work recognized on a national stage because it affirms a simple idea we've believed from the beginning: the people who use our outdoor spaces should help design them.
Thank you for making this work possible. Your support continues to help communities—and the next generation of young leaders—shape a more vibrant, resilient future.
📰 Read The New York Times feature.
—The team at Trust for Public Land
