John,

When we asked Bregy Elementary fourth grader Mariah Murray what she thought of her schoolyard, she didn’t hold back ...

It wasn’t a place that inspired play or creativity. It wasn’t a place to gather, learn, or cool off in the heat.

But today, Mariah’s schoolyard is something else entirely—thanks to a transformation led by students like her through our community schoolyards program. The new Bregy schoolyard was imagined and shaped by kids. 

We don’t just create schoolyards for children. We build with them. 

Because when students see their ideas come to life—shady trees, butterfly gardens, local murals, and unique play structures—they grow up knowing their voices matter.