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Schoolyard Greening Project

The schoolyard at Brown Street Academy in Milwaukee’s central city used to be a slab of cracked asphalt.

Then in 2010, the Center for Resilient Cities began construction on its schoolyard greening project. Today the schoolyard is full of life, featuring more than 50 trees, lush blankets of grass and flowers and a Nature Explore Outdoor Classroom™ that brings nature’s lessons to the school’s backyard.

Studies have shown that school grounds with diverse natural settings promote physical activity, nutrition awareness, civility among the students and creativity. Environment and nature-based programs have also improved attendance, behavior and standardized scores in schools across the world.

“The playground blends in with our theme of excellence,” said Ava Morris, principal of Brown Street Academy. “We wanted that to reflect on the outside, as well as the inside.”

To learn more about how Nature Explore Outdoor Classrooms™ promote skill development, click here.

Before and After: (North Part of Schoolyard)

Project facts: (through all three phases)

1. •More than half of the 5-acre schoolyard was converted into green and living surfaces, while still providing space for basketball, hopscotch, foursquare and kickball.
   

2. •Added 50 trees, including a shaded reading “nook.” More than 15 diverse species of trees now live at Brown Street Academy.
   

3. •Drastically reduced stormwater runoff at the school. With its pervious surfaces, almost no stormwater runs off the Nature Explore Outdoor Classroom™.
   

4. •Installed seating for 75 students. Previously, there was no seating.
   

5. •The outdoor classrooms include areas for music and performance, building and climbing and nature art.
   

6. •The Nature Explore Outdoor Classroom™ is the first of its kind in Wisconsin. It has been certified by the Arbor Day Foundation and Dimensions Educational Research Foundation.
   

7. •Project partners included Milwaukee Public Schools, the Rotary Club of Milwaukee, the Brown Street Academy community and generous private donors.