Greening Schoolyards
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Portland Public Schools' Schoolyards Program collaborates with volunteer school groups to design, build, and sustain green schoolyards.
With guidance from District staff, volunteers create action plans, develop long-term Site Vision Plans, implement projects, utilize community partnerships, amplify outdoor learning, and create more equitable access to greenspace.
Green schoolyard projects may include trees, native plants, bioswales, edible gardens, and educational signage to provide shade, stormwater capture, and opportunities for learning.
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How to get started
How to get started:
- Brainstorm the long-term needs of the entire schoolyard
- For example, what do students need to have a green and healthy schoolyard? Where do students play most? Where does rain puddle in the winter months?
- Get feedback from other volunteers (i.e. school leadership, staff, families) on priority projects
- Build an enthusiastic stakeholder base to help with planning, implementing, and maintenance
- Consider the on-going maintenance of your project ideas
- Sustaining schoolyard greenspaces is the responsibility of the school community
- Submit a Project Development Request (PDR) form
- This step needs to be completed BEFORE any work is started or grant applications are submitted
- Plan to submit your PDR form at least 6 months before you want to implement your project
- Brainstorm the long-term needs of the entire schoolyard
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What to expect from this process
What to expect from this process:
- After you submit a Project Development Request form:
- A project will move to a Project Manager who will help guide the volunteer group into next steps
- Schoolyard Projects usually take 6 months - 2 years to move through the entire project process to completion
- After you submit a Project Development Request form:
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Interested in organizing a clean-up work party to beautify school grounds?
Please contact Communitycare@pps.net and find additional information at www.pps.net/communitycare
