Images source: Space to Grow Program – Grissom Elementary School
Space to Grow Program
Since 2013, the Space to Grow program in Chicago has transformed over 36 schoolyards, with 5 more currently under construction, serving more than 36,000 students, families, and community members in under-served neighbourhoods with greenery and green stormwater infrastructure.
The Space to Grow program was established that year when two non-profit organizations partnered with Chicago Public Schools and two public water agencies to transform schoolyards in under-resourced neighbourhoods into green oases that reduce flooding.
“The Space to Grow program prioritizes historically disinvested and underserved areas in Chicago,” explained Zhang. “These communities have been shaped by historic policies that systematically restricted public investment in communities of color.”
Multi-Sectoral Collaboration
The Space to Grow program operates through a collaboration between the non-profit organizations, the Healthy Schools Campaign and Openlands, along with three public agencies, the Chicago Public Schools, the Metropolitan Water Reclamation District of Greater Chicago, and the Chicago Department of Water Management.
Each partner organization has its own goals. The two water agencies are working to reduce the risk of floods and protect water quality in the city. Chicago Public Schools aims to provide safe and welcoming schoolyards for its students and their families. Openlands is dedicated to connecting people with nature and greening urban areas. And the Healthy School Campaign seeks to address systemic barriers; to provide children in under-resourced neighbourhoods with safe and vibrant outdoor spaces that support health and well-being.
“Through our aligned goals, we work together to redesign and revitalize outdoor school spaces. The non-profit organizations coordinate work between the partners, facilitate community engagement on all elements of the work, and provide technical assistance and educational programming to schools. The public agencies provide leadership, expertise,and funding for the design and construction of the schoolyards. Funding from the two water agencies is guided by each schoolyard’s potential to reduce stormwater runoff through green infrastructure,” Zhang explained.
Images source: Space to Grow Program – Nathan S. Davis Elementary School
Green Infrastructure and Green Space
Space to Grow uses green stormwater infrastructure, systems and features that incorporate or mimic nature-based solutions to capture stormwater on-site and reduce sewer system strain. Chamber systems are installed below the surface to catch water on schoolyards. Asphalt is replaced with permeable surfaces, native plants, rain gardens, and bioswales to absorb and filter stormwater.
These measures offer significant benefits for flood prevention. At Grissom Elementary School, for example, it was estimated that the project would entirely eliminate runoff volume and remove nearly all pollutants from the water for over 99% of all storms.
The infrastructure and landscaping design for each schoolyard is informed by the needs of the students and the surrounding community.
”At our recent renovation at Brown Community Academy, the schoolyard design had to support students from pre-kindergarten to grade 8, so we wanted to ensure that there were spaces for different activities and sports, while also integrating a nearby rain garden to absorb water,” said Zhang.
The community design process identified key priorities for the school, including creating opportunities for outdoor learning, nature play, and growing food.
“We transformed a courtyard space into a nature play area and an outdoor classroom, and we added raised planters and edible garden beds,” said Zhang.
“Partners at Loyola University and the University of California’s Nutrition Policy Institute have done studies around the use of renovated schoolyards and have seen an increase in the use of physical space across genders and all age groups and found that these schoolyards promote a more positive relationship between the schools and community,” explained Zhang.
Engaging the Community
Space to Grow uses a participatory approach so the community is involved at every stage of their schoolyard’s transformation.
“Once a school is selected, we begin with a planning process that includes meetings with school leaders, parents and caregivers and neighbours,” explained Zhang. “We also help form a Space to Grow Committee for each schoolyard that includes trusted messengers from the community who can communicate with various stakeholders.”
“Trusted community members are the best messengers,” said Zhang. “Committee members with strong local networks help ensure that the school community feels heard and stays informed.”
During the planning phase, students and community members share what they want from their schoolyards. Landscape architects and engineers, who participate in these meetings, translate the community’s visions into schematic designs. Ongoing workshops allow designers to get real-time feedback from community members before finalizing a design.
“The design team is involved in every conversation with community members,” explained Zhang. “This project is not just about us relaying information about the schoolyards to the community. It is about co-creating spaces that reflect local needs while allowing communities to build climate resilience.”
Prioritizing Schools Based on Flood Exposure and Social Equity
The initial school selection process is based on three primary criteria:
- High flood risk areas;
- High need for playground or playground renovation; and
- The Chicago Public Schools Equity Index.
The city’s water department uses a geospatial approach to identify schools that are in locations with a high risk for basement flooding. The Chicago Public School Equity Index assesses school conditions, community conditions, and historical capital investment patterns to prioritize schools most in need of upgrades.
“Almost all the schoolyards that we have renovated are located on the south and west sides of Chicago,” noted Zhang. “Many of these communities have a legacy of redlining and disinvestment. When you overlay maps of historic redlining with tree canopy, heat vulnerability, and other health disparities, the patterns are striking. These are the communities that have been overlooked for too long and where intentional investment can make the greatest impact.”
Redlining was a racist policy that prevented people of colour from obtaining mortgages based on neighbourhood value. Although the practice has been illegal since 1968 in the United States, its legacy endures. Residents living in redlined neighbourhoods today experience higher exposure to air, water, and noise pollution. Beyond redlining, other discriminatory housing policies and practices such as exclusionary zoning, inequitable code enforcement, and disinvestment continue to result in the lack of access to safe, healthy and affordable housing.
Once a school meets the initial eligibility criteria, it can apply to the Space to Grow program. Final selection is based on flood risk, feasibility of schoolyard development, access to green spaces, socioeconomic factors, and school participation readiness for renovations. Three or four schools are selected each year. It can cost between $1.5 – $4 million to transform a schoolyard.
Challenges and Lessons Learned
The Space to Grow program found that the maintenance and management of the transformed schoolyards was an initial challenge.
Now, school caretakers are better trained on the maintenance needs once the renovations are completed. Chicago Public Schools have also contracted firms with specialized training to steward the spaces.
Teachers receive professional development to orient them to the green spaces, to understand their benefits, and learn how they can use them in classes and after-school programming.
“Through evaluation processes, school staff have reported increased job satisfaction because of transformed schoolyards,” said Zhang.
The transformed schoolyards are also open to the community for use. The Space to Grow team has found that the schoolyards are generally treated with respect by the community.
“The best way to maintain these spaces over the long term is by involving the community in their development,” Zhang concluded. “When communities are empowered through community building, they feel ownership over their schoolyards and want to care for them.”
However, ongoing maintenance remains a challenge. While community involvement fosters a sense of stewardship, school staff and partners have noted that clear roles, consistent resources, and dedicated funding streams are essential to keep the schoolyards vibrant and functional. Tasks like garden care, trash removal, and green stormwater infrastructure upkeep require coordination between the school district, individual schools, public agencies, and communities. The Space to Grow partners continue to explore innovative models for shared maintenance – leveraging volunteer days, student engagement and interagency collaboration to sustain these vital green spaces over time.
