Completed in 2023

At this public elementary school in South Philadelphia, Trust for Public Land led our signature participatory design process to help the 4th grade class design a schoolyard that would benefit their entire community. F. Amedee Bregy students dreamed of upgrading the asphalt expanse with play equipment, sports facilities, an outdoor classroom, and plants. With the help of NV5, and in partnership with the School District of Philadelphia, Trust for Public Land turned the student design into reality.

Throughout the design process, TPL and NV5 worked to stay faithful to the student design to create a schoolyard with maximum benefits for the school and surrounding community. Site amenities include a playground which prioritizes accessibility; a shaded outdoor classroom with boulder seating; site furnishings; an outdoor stage for ceremonies and other events; significant tree plantings in continuous beds; a large, lush raingarden; and a high-school size basketball court. A playful walking/running track weaves through the design with colorful curves and steppers.

A significant stormwater incentives grant from the Philadelphia Water Department allowed the design team to create a green and shady oasis through shade tree plantings and the flower-filled rain garden. The rain garden, turf field, and subsurface basin capture flow from the site and from adjacent public rights-of-way. The substantial stormwater capacity of this project reduces the burden on Philadelphia’s combined sewer system.

The schoolyard is open to the community after school hours for gathering, exercise and play. The shade trees provide a respite from the heat island effect where there was previously only asphalt. Above all, the inclusive community design process ensured that students and neighbors alike feel true ownership over Bregy’s community schoolyard.

Team Members:

Trust for Public Land, community engagement, fundraising, and project lead

NV5, landscape architecture and civil engineering

Verdantas, geotechnical investigations

International Consultants, Inc., cost estimating

Rodriguez Consulting, site survey

Gessler Construction, contractor

https://www.tpl.org/our-work/f-amedee-bregy-school