This community-led project transforms underutilized asphalt play courts into a living schoolyard with features including a shaded seating area that functions as a flexible outdoor classroom, and an orchard space that offers students opportunities for outdoor education and experience working in the garden.

Located in Oakland’s industrial district, the schoolyard and surrounding neighborhood suffer from poor air quality, noise pollution, and a general lack of green space. A priority for this project was to create a living schoolyard that promotes outdoor play in a hardy, sustainable and safe landscape. A review of the OUSD plant palette helped inform and identify the planting materials chosen for the project. Along with collaborative input from TPL, PlaceWorks provided design recommendations in relation to form, color, design intent, and plant hardiness. This project will be a celebrated community asset and natural resource to the school and greater neighborhood community for generations to come.