What's Happening in Tacoma, WA…

Construction has begun on a community schoolyard at Larchmont Elementary School in the South End of Tacoma. When completed, it will be a significant milestone that has been a priority for many years for both residents and local organizations.

This is the fifth schoolyard to be renovated as part of the pilot program of Tacoma Community Schoolyards. Other schoolyards which have been renovated as part of this program include Mann, Whitman, and Jennie Reed Elementary Schools. These schoolyards are unique in that they are open outside of school hours so that underserved neighborhoods have much-needed public space.

The schoolyard will have new safety surfacing and playground equipment, an amphitheater for community events and outdoor learning, upgraded storm drainage, and nature trails. Loss of some federal funding has led to some reductions, primarily in landscaping. Leaders of the project are pursuing alternative funding measures that would enable native trees and plants to be part of future phases of the project.

More details about the features and amenities of such schoolyards is often made outlined in flyer printing.

Andrea Smith, president of the board of Tacoma Parks, said that community schoolyards are the types of places that encourage people to live and play in a neighborhood and enable them to be active and connect outdoors.

The schoolyard is expected to be completed by spring of next year.