William Dick Elementary Schoolyard

For years, children at William Dick Elementary played on an asphalt yard with very little playground equipment. The hard surface prevented rainwater from being absorbed so the yard was often covered in puddles—one was so large that students called it "the Pond."

In 2012 we started the participatory design process with students in grades 6-8, engaging them to participate in various aspects of site and playground design (read more about the process in the design journal.) This exciting new play space based on students' input and vision opened in June 2014. The schoolyard now has new play equipment, shade trees, a new artificial turf field, and running track. It also features the largest rain garden in any Philadelphia school, helping to manage stormwater runoff. Students and community members continue to help with stewardship and programming at the site.

This is the first of ten sites The Trust for Public Land will help transform in partnership with the City of Philadelphia's Green2015 initiative.