A Call for Reimagined Schoolyards

In recent years, tactical urbanism has helped reinvent many streets and sidewalks in center cities, creating new public spaces. But many spaces remain untouched. Anuj Gupta argues that reinvented schoolyards can be the next great public spaces.

2 minute read

March 8, 2015, 1:08 PM PDT

By Josh Stephens @jrstephens310


Children Playing

Lessadar / Shutterstock

The city of Philadelphia has some historic public spaces, some fantastic new public spaces, and a wealth of vibrant street life. It also has dozens of schools, with countless acres of open space, which, though they are physically integrated with their neighborhoods, are not the assets that they could be. 

"Unfortunately, too often schoolyards are in deplorable condition, with pockmarked pavement, aging play equipment and few amenities. And yet they exude potential. There is more than sufficient evidence to suggest that safe, inviting and engaging play areas allow children to get the exercise they need, develop social skills and ultimately perform better in the classroom."

Anuj Gupta, director of a nonprofit community development corporation in Philadelphia, argues that the city's schoolyards represent a wealth the city's next great public spaces, which can serve not only the city's schoolchildren but also residents at large. He wants them to be greener, more attractive, more fun, and open to public uses. He suggests that efforts to renovate schoolyards will have ripple effects throughout the neighborhoods -- which will gain amenities -- and throughout the school district, which is losing students to charter schools. Schoolyards can give campuses "curb appeal." Parents, homeowners, and environmentalists alike can appreciate more attractive, better designed schoolyards. 

Gupta calls for the creation of nonprofits to raise money and implement redesigns; citywide master plans and community plans that embrace, rather than ignore, schools; "friends" groups to maintain and promote redesigned schoolyards; leadership from sources other than the beleaguered school district; and tax-increment financing to pay for it and, ideally, capture increased property values that will result from attractive, healthy schoolyards/playgrounds/parks/community centers that will result.

Friday, February 27, 2015 in Philadelphia Magazine

portrait of professional woman

I love the variety of courses, many practical, and all richly illustrated. They have inspired many ideas that I've applied in practice, and in my own teaching. Mary G., Urban Planner

I love the variety of courses, many practical, and all richly illustrated. They have inspired many ideas that I've applied in practice, and in my own teaching.

Mary G., Urban Planner

Get top-rated, practical training

Close-up of "Apartment for rent" sign in red text on black background in front of blurred building

Trump Administration Could Effectively End Housing Voucher Program

Federal officials are eyeing major cuts to the Section 8 program that helps millions of low-income households pay rent.

April 21, 2025 - Housing Wire

Logo for Planetizen Federal Action Tracker with black and white image of U.S. Capitol with water ripple overlay.

Planetizen Federal Action Tracker

A weekly monitor of how Trump’s orders and actions are impacting planners and planning in America.

April 23, 2025 - Diana Ionescu

Ken Jennings stands in front of Snohomish County Community Transit bus.

Ken Jennings Launches Transit Web Series

The Jeopardy champ wants you to ride public transit.

April 20, 2025 - Streetsblog USA

Yellow electric school bus with preteen students exiting.

California Invests Additional $5M in Electric School Buses

The state wants to electrify all of its school bus fleets by 2035.

April 25 - Associated Press

City Hall building in Austin, Texas.

Austin Launches $2M Homelessness Prevention Fund

A new grant program from the city’s Homeless Strategy Office will fund rental assistance and supportive services.

April 25 - Spectrum Local News

Brick school building with mid-sized tree on front lawn.

Alabama School Forestry Initiative Brings Trees to Schoolyards

Trees can improve physical and mental health for students and commnity members.

April 25 - Governing