In Spring 2007, Urban Ecology partnered with the Unity Council to create a plan for improving the schoolyard of Urban Promise Academy in Oakland, CA. A Student Site Leadership team collected ideas from their classmates, staff, and parents about the schoolyard, asking each group to carefully evaluate the site’s positive merits and determine what needed to be changed. Parents, who considered safety and security a priority, wanted better fencing around the school. Teachers saw the need for separation between sports activities and the quiet study places; they also requested outdoor classrooms and seating. Students prioritized a sports field and places to hang out with friends.
From these comments, we developed a three-phase plan. The first phase shows what can happen before the gym is built, the second shows the improvements with the gym, and the final phase shows Sausal Creek, the creek that runs under the parking lot, uncovered and restored.
The Unity Council and Urban Ecology worked in partnership with the School District to incorporate these ideas into the gymnasium design and green park area. The Stewardship Council pledged $100,000 for schoolyard improvements for two years. These funds were used to create an artificial turf field and multi-purpose ball court. Also, students volunteered their time to help plant the front of the school along Fruitvale Ave with numerous drought tolerant trees. The courtyard space has been developed to become more hospitable for the students by incorporating benches for more seating space. The total project cost $2,694,790 with a planning process of about 6 months and implementation of a little over a year.
Parents felt that safety and security were important issues, and they wanted the fencing around the school improved. Teachers wanted more separation between sports and quiet study places; they also wanted outdoor places for classes and places to sit. Students’ priorities were a sports field and places to hang out with friends.
From these comments, we developed a plan that has three phases. The first phase shows what can happen before the gym is built, the second shows the improvements with the gym, and the final phase shows Sausal Creek (that runs under the parking lot) uncovered and restored.
What Happened Next?
The Unity Council and Urban Ecology worked in partnership with the School District to incorporate these ideas into the gymnasium design and green park area. The Stewardship Council pledged $100,000 for schoolyard improvements over the next two years. These funds were used to create an artificial turf field and multi-purpose ball court. Also, students volunteered their time to help plant the front of the school along Fruitvale Ave. with numerous drought tolerant trees. The courtyard space has been developed to become more hospitable for the students by incorporating benches for more seating space. The total project cost $2,694,790 with a planning process of about 6 months and an implementation of a little over a year.
We would like to give a special thanks to:
Principal Gia Truong, Guidance Counselor Mary Ellen Bayardo, and Parent Coordinator Glendy for their support and coordination of the project.
The parents, staff, and students who gave their time to participate and share their ideas.
The Stewardship Council for funding the project.
