Luther Price Middle School was one of four Atlanta Public Schools to debut their new Schoolyard with the help of The Trust for Public Land.
Just outside the school building, there is a new picnic shelter, light workout equipment, raised garden beds, and a perimeter of newly planted trees surrounding the green space available to students, staff and the surrounding community.
“It looks like a place for peace,” APS interim superintendent Dr. Danielle Battle said. “It is so exciting to work with The Trust for Public Land and have playgrounds within 10 minutes of every community member in Atlanta and to have them on our Schoolyards. It connects our communities more with our schools, so we are so excited about that opportunity and this space for our students and families.”
Schoolyards were also debuted with ribbon-cutting ceremonies at Scott Elementary School, Harper-Archer Elementary School and Centennial Academy.
The project began a few years ago and was heavily driven by student engagement. Price Middle School’s farm and agriculture teacher, Whitney Thomas, recruited William Oliver’s classroom to work on the project and create their vision for the Schoolyard.
“First, the students wanted to try and do a whole basketball court type deal,” Oliver said. ” We talked about the pros and cons. How it would benefit us and the community. It sparked a lot of conversations and brought perspective on why we need spaces like this.”
“We partnered with the Department of Watershed Management and Trust For Public Land, and we made blueprints, talked about unit costs, what would be good for the environment, and what wouldn’t work,” he added. “The students were very engaged with the possibility of what the park could bring and how the park could look. I think they were more excited about the legacy aspect of saying, ‘I helped build that.’”
The students’ involvement in the planning stages of the project also provided a tangible experience that correlated to some of the things they’ve been learning in school.
“This was important because we want to make sure our babies understand how those experiences, the things they’re learning in the classroom, and skills they are acquiring apply to everyday life,” Price Middle School principal Dr. Natasha Hogan-Mahan said. “A lot of times, you have kids that talk about, ‘Well, how can I use this? What does math have to do with anything that I’m going to do? I’m not going to be an architect, so what does this have to do with me?’ They are able to use those skills in real time and it will help them better relate to what they’re learning every day.”
Now at Price Middle School, Harper-Archer Elementary School, Scott Elementary School and Centennial Academy, future generations of students, their families and the nearby communities will have a Schoolyard where they can safely play, gather, and enjoy being outside.