Space to Grow: Greening Chicago Schoolyards

Healthy Schools Campaign

Space to Grow uses green stormwater infrastructure and natural features to transform schoolyards. The program fosters a daily connection to nature-based play and learning. Projects are developed through community engagement and target schoolyards in underserved communities, training teachers, and working with partner organizations to define a citywide strategy for maintaining Green Stormwater Infrastructure (GSI) installations.

Learn more about Space to Grow

Everyone gets a chance to help design their new Space to Grow schoolyard, like these students at Boone elementary in Chicago

First time playing after the ribbon cutting in the Space to Grow schoolyard at Nathan Davis elementary in Chicago

Kids play at the Space to Grow schoolyard at Wadsworth STEM in Chicago

Kids play in the Space to Grow schoolyard at Cook Academy in Chicago

Planting with students in the Space to Grow native gardens at Corkery elementary school in Chicago

Students learn in the gardens at Wadsworth STEM, a Space to Grow school in Chicago

Volunteers garden with students at Space to Grow school, Orozco Community Academy, in Chicago