New “Space to Grow” Schoolyards Unveiled at Isabelle C. O’Keeffe and Daniel Wentworth Elementary Schools

Chicago - Chicago Public Schools (CPS) celebrated two additional Space to Grow schoolyards Monday, following months of work to transform the play spaces. CPS representatives and elected officials as well as parents and community members unveiled two new Space to Grow schoolyards at Isabelle C. O’Keeffe and Daniel Wentworth Elementary schools.

“I wish to extend our gratitude to A Space to Grow for supporting the students and families of the Wentworth Elementary School community,” said District Network 11 Chief Dr. Julious Lawson. “This new playground equipment will provide students an amazing space to play while allowing them additional opportunities to learn, unleash their imaginations and be healthier while at school.”

The new schoolyards will each feature a playground, track, and turf field where students can play and a garden space. O'Keeffe Elementary is an AUSL Network School.

“We know that we are not only providing a fun place for today and tomorrow, but are providing a space for our community to preserve and best support our environment,” said AUSL Chief of Schools Dr. Annise Lewis. “These schoolyards breathe joy and hope into our school communities.”

Space to Grow transforms Chicago schoolyards into lovely yet functional spaces for students and community members to play, learn, and teach. The schoolyards help encourage physical activity, outdoor learning and community engagement. These infrastructures are also environmentally friendly with their materials, techniques, and surfaces to help stop the flood of neighborhoods.

Chicago Public Schools and its partners at Space to Grow, Openlands, Metropolitan Water Reclamation District of Greater Chicago, Chicago Department of Water Management, and Healthy Schools Campaign aim to overhaul 34 schoolyards by 2022.

Space to Grow is managed by Healthy Schools Campaign and Openlands and the schoolyard renovations are made possible through funding and leadership from CPS, the Chicago Department of Water Management and the MWRD of Greater Chicago.

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