The Trust for Public Land (TPL), in collaboration with multiple New York City agencies and funders, celebrated the grand opening Wednesday of a newly renovated green schoolyard at a site utilized by three schools in the Morrisania section of the Bronx.
The project, which has transformed a once-vacant asphalt lot into a vibrant community park, aims to provide quality recreational space and environmental benefits to both students and the surrounding neighborhood. The schoolyard, located at 800 Home St., is used by students from Bronx Latin (X267), Dr. Izquierdo Health and Science Charter School (X482), and Bronx Career and College Preparatory High School (X479).
“Parks are essential for the health of all New Yorkers, and this new community space is a key part of our work to close the park equity gap and increase climate resiliency,” said Mary Alice Lee, NYC Playgrounds Program Director for TPL. “In addition to serving the entire neighborhood with quality park space, this schoolyard will give students the opportunity to learn and play outdoors, while its green infrastructure features will absorb millions of gallons of stormwater that would otherwise flood our city streets.”
The newly renovated schoolyard includes a running track, volleyball court, turf soccer field, two full basketball courts, an outdoor classroom, a gazebo with a green roof, and fitness equipment. Two murals grace the walls near the outdoor classroom and fitness area, adding an artistic element to the space. In addition to recreational features, permeable bricks surround the trees in the yard, allowing for stormwater management that helps maintain the trees while reducing flooding in nearby streets.
SCA President and CEO Nina Kubota expressed excitement over the partnership, emphasizing the importance of outdoor spaces for student growth.
“The introduction of the new Healthy Schools category in our 2025-2029 Capital Plan reflects our dedication to creating environments that support both learning and the overall well-being of students,” said Kubota. “The $60 million allocated in the Capital Plan will provide children with access to outdoor play areas that are crucial for their holistic growth, encouraging physical activity, social engagement, and creative play. We are excited to further our collaboration with TPL as they continue to transform schoolyards into inviting, green spaces that are open to everyone during and after school hours.”
The green schoolyard will serve approximately 47,143 residents living within a 10-minute walk of the schools, offering them park access in a neighborhood previously underserved by green spaces.
Funding for the schoolyard came from a combination of public and private sources, including lead philanthropic contributions from the Destina Foundation, VF Foundation, the Long Island Sound Study, and the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD).
Some of the funds were allocated via Congress.
“Today’s opening is a testament to the power of community collaboration and investment in our neighborhoods. I am proud to announce that we allocated $926,000 through Congressional Community Project Funding to support this playground,” said U.S. Rep. Ritchie Torres in a statement. “This funding is crucial for enhancing public spaces, promoting physical activity, and improving quality of life for residents across our district.”
TPL’s NYC Playgrounds Program began in 1996 and is responsible for designing and constructing 229 school and community playgrounds across the five boroughs.
Research conducted by TPL highlights the importance of making schoolyards accessible to the public. The organization found that the opening of all public schoolyards in the U.S. during non-school hours would provide a park within a 10-minute walk for more than 19.6 million people, including 5.2 million children, who currently lack easy access to green spaces.
