Trust for Public Land and Partners Join the Bronx School of Young Leaders and PS 306X to Open New, Student-Designed Community Schoolyard

Today, Trust for Public Land, U.S. Representative Ritchie Torres, Bronx Borough President Vanessa Gibson, Councilmember Pierina Ana Sanchez, Fordham University President Tania Tetlow, and the Department of Environmental Protection joined a highly diverse student body, teachers, and families to officially open the new, community schoolyard at P.S. 306/M.S. 331 in Tremont, Bronx.

The $2.85 million playground was designed by students from elementary school PS 306 and middle school MS 331, to reflect their neighborhood's unique identity, culture, and character. The student-chosen playground features include a full basketball court, a volleyball court, an outdoor classroom, game tables, a gazebo, play equipment for younger children, fitness equipment for older students and community members, benches, a running track, and a turf field for soccer and football.

"Today's opening is a testament to the power of community collaboration and investment in our neighborhoods. I am proud to announce that we allocated $926,000 through Congressional Community Project Funding to support this playground," said U.S. Rep. Ritchie Torres in a statement. "This funding is crucial for enhancing public spaces, promoting physical activity, and improving quality of life for residents across our district."

The P.S. 306X/MS 331X playground was built by Trust for Public Land (TPL), in partnership with the Department of Environmental Protection (DEP), The School Construction Authority and the Department of Education. In addition to serving students, the new schoolyard will reopen to the public during after school hours between 8am and dusk when school programs are not in session, providing opportunities for both children and adults to enjoy a place for exercise, relaxation, and socializing with neighbors.

"Thanks to the dedicated efforts from students and community members to design this space, this newly redesigned schoolyard will open new doors for students and create a healthier, more resilient neighborhood for all," said Tamar Renaud, New York State Director for Trust for Public Land.

The new playground, formerly plagued with sinkholes that would flood during rainstorms, also features green infrastructure elements such as shade trees, plantings, permeable pavers, and a synthetic turf field that allow the playground to capture 2 million gallons of rainwater a year. These features will better manage stormwater runoff that can flood streets and overwhelm sewer systems, as well as reduce sewer overflows and protect the Harlem River watershed.

The P.S. 306/M.S. 331 playground is made possible through a partnership with the New York City Department of Education, the New York City Department of Environmental Protection, and the New York City School Construction Authority, as well as through funding from Bronx Borough President Vanessa Gibson, Council Member Pierina Ana Sanchez, and the DEP.

"School playgrounds are essential for the health and well-being of our communities. That's why the SCA has committed $60 million in our 2025-2029 Capital Plan to ensure children have safe spaces for physical activity, social development, and creativity, all of which are crucial for their growth and development," said SCA President and CEO Nina Kubota. "Playgrounds not only support students but also serve as vital community resources, making them a valuable investment in the physical, emotional, and social well-being of this entire Bronx community."

"DEP is proud to partner with The Trust for Public Land on Green Infrastructure playgrounds like the one at P.S. 306/M.S. 331," said New York City Chief Climate Officer and Department of Environmental Protection Commissioner Rohit T. Aggarwala. "These revitalized playgrounds play an important role in our multipronged approach to address climate change and reduce flooding around the five boroughs. I'd also like to thank Congressman Torres, Borough President Gibson, and Council Member Sanchez for their leadership, and all the students who helped design the new space."

Since 1996, TPL's NYC Playgrounds Program has helped design and build 232 school and community playgrounds across the five boroughs. TPL employs participatory design principles, involving students to help them gain valuable knowledge and life skills like budgeting, negotiation, and planning. Green infrastructure design elements are also a hallmark of the playground work. These features help to improve New York City's resistance to major storms by reducing storm water runoff that can flood streets and overwhelm sewer systems, allowing untreated water to end up in rivers and bays.

About Trust for Public Land

Trust for Public Land (TPL) is a national nonprofit that works to connect everyone to the benefits and joys of the outdoors. As a leader in equitable access to the outdoors, TPL works with communities to create parks and protect public land where they are needed most. Since 1972, TPL has protected more than 4 million acres of public land, created more than 5,420 parks, trails, schoolyards, and iconic outdoor places, raised $94 billion in public funding for parks and public lands, and connected nearly 9.4 million people to the outdoors. To learn more, visit tpl.org.