Trust for Public Land’s Minnesota Community Schoolyard program partners with schools to transform schoolyards into vibrant, green nature spaces for students and the broader community. In the first project cohort, we’ve transformed schoolyards in Rochester Public Schools, Red Lake, Brooklyn Center, Robbinsdale Public Schools, and St Paul Public Schools. TPL is seeking schools interested in participating in the second cohort*—launching Fall 2026.
Participating schools receive:
- Community engagement and project management support from Trust for Public Land
- The “Student Leader Class” program, a 7-week program that integrates the schoolyard project into classroom learning
- Professional landscape design services
- Opportunities for learning and sharing through a network of schoolyard projects and champions
- A guaranteed $150,000 for nature-centered schoolyard improvements, such as outdoor classrooms, nature exploration areas, trees, rain gardens, native plants, and more.
Applications are due June 30, 2026. Learn more about on our website and/or join one of our upcoming webinars.
*This program is dependent on the approval of funding and related contracting with the State of Minnesota. Changes to the legislative approval process and contracting could change, delay, or cancel this opportunity.