Community Schoolyards
Spotlight: The first Scranton schoolyard is complete!
The Community Schoolyard at Kennedy Elementary has three large play structures, a running loop, basketball hoop, outdoor classroom, trees, bushes, and flowers. They include communication boards and other features for children on the autism spectrum. It was terrific to have the kids who designed the playground come back to the school to celebrate it’s ribbon-cutting. Help us bring Community Schoolyards to other schools in our area!
VIM is helping turn plain asphalt school playgrounds in Scranton into Community Schoolyards. A collaboration between Trust for Public Land, the Scranton School District, the City of Scranton, and VIM, these transformed spaces provide enhanced playing and learning experiences for children. These areas will be open to the public after school, increasing the amount of quality park space within a ten minute walk of Scranton residents.
Kids design the playgrounds! VIM taught “participatory design” classes to second and third grade students at John F. Kennedy, John G. Whittier, and Frances Willard Elementary Schools in Scranton. The students defined their needs for playing, learning, and re-charging. They collected input from parents, teachers, community members, and their fellow students. They measured the sites, tracked sunlight and rainwater movement, created budgets, and designed the new spaces.
At Kennedy Elementary, a center for autistic support, children with special needs were included in the design classes to create play spaces both by them and for them. Visit the completed playground at 2200 Prospect Avenue in Scranton.
Construction is nearing completion at Whittier Elementary for a playground that features slides, a field, outdoor classroom, and rain garden. It's underground stormwater management system protects the whole block against flooding! We are looking forward to the grand opening in October 2026.
At Willard Elementary, architects have created construction documents from the kids' design for a basketball court, running track, play equipment, and a rain garden. We are seeking financial support to build the playground in 2027.
Give Kids A Place To Be Kids
VIM and Trust for Public Land have partnered with the Scranton Area Community Foundation to set up a special fund just for this Community Schoolyards program in Scranton. Help us help the kids of Scranton by donating to this fund.
Follow us to stay in the loop!
Stay connected with Valley in Motion by following us on social media! It’s the easiest way to stay in the loop on all of our upcoming projects, community events, and new opportunities to support VIM’s mission. Join our online community to see the impact being made across the Valley, get real-time updates, and discover meaningful ways you can help keep our region moving forward. Follow along and be part of the momentum!