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With yearly temperatures continuing to rise, children on the Central Coast are more at risk for heat-related illnesses at school according to research. School playgrounds present an interesting dilemma, as a place students can thrive in nature, but are at risk while doing so.
To combat this issue, the Trust for Public Land, a nonprofit organization headquartered in San Francisco, is campaigning for a $1 billion allocation for green schoolyards to be included in this year’s School Facilities Bond. Green schoolyards incorporate nature into a playground and add needed shade. The allocation would help schools throughout the state tear up asphalt, plant trees, build canopies, invest in urban gardens and create more community spaces.
The School Facilities Bond is used to pay for infrastructure updates and help with general maintenance and upkeep of schools. But Juan Altamirano from the Trust for Public Land said this bond could be used for even more.
“The legislature and the governor have a tremendous opportunity to reimagine and implement a significantly transformative piece of legislation … to shield (kids) and protect them,” said Altamirano, who is director of government affairs for the trust.
According to a UCLA Luskin Center study, if it’s 92 degrees outside, asphalt can reach up to 149 degrees, while a rubber mat can get as hot as 165 degrees. A study done by the National Institute of Health showed that out of 174 sampled schools, there was an average amount of 7.6% shaded play space, while 21 schools had no shade on the playgrounds.
The study also found that schools where more students received free or reduced lunches, were the schools with less shade. The trust is aware of this disparity and it is one of its main motivations.
“What we are proposing is $1 billion in school bond funding to move into those schools as quickly as possible,” said Altamirano. “For us, equity is front and center and making sure that kids who don’t have access to (shade) in historically marginalized areas, that they be the first folks in line to benefit from this program.”
A separate nonprofit, Green Schoolyards America, started an initiative during the COVID-19 pandemic to assist schools in creating design concepts for outdoor learning. Monterey Bay Charter School participated in the program for its Pacific Grove and Seaside campuses.
The concepts consisted of using wooden stumps from fallen trees on the campus grounds and donated wood, according to Candace Villarta, communications and development manager for Monterey Bay Charter.
The concept designs were a success and were implemented. “It’s very important for (students) to be outdoors, there’s so much to be learned from the outdoor environment,” said Villarta.
Even though the majority of learning is back inside, students are still consistently utilizing and enjoying the outdoor learning space, said Villarta.
In 2018, the Trust for Public Land worked with the Oakland Unified School District to make its playgrounds more eco-friendly. They assisted four schools in developing green schoolyards that created a more nature-focused environment.
In 2022, $121 million was secured from the state legislature and governor for the Cal Fire Urban and Community Forestry grant to build green schoolyards across the state. The trust and its partners helped secure this funding.
The trust’s focus was to create “equitable access to greenspace, mitigate air pollution, reduce flooding, combat heat island effects and provide much needed park access,” according to the grant. The funding was also dispersed to 164 schools throughout the state, including the Central Coast, according to Altamirano.
“That impact has been tremendous. You’re going to see 164 schools statewide be transformed into more inviting spaces for kids to play and enjoy, you know, being shielded away from extreme heat events,” said Altamirano.
Senator Steve Glazer and Assemblyman Al Muratsuchi have both presented two bills for construction and modernization of schools in the state. Both bills propose a $14.5-15 billion bond be placed on the statewide ballot in November.
Glazer’s SB 28 would allocate $9 billion for K-12 schools and $2 billion each for California Community Colleges, the CSU system and the UC system. Assemblyman Muratsuchi’s AB 247 proposes a $14 million bond to be distributed to school facilities for transitional kindergarten, K-12 schools and California Community Colleges. The exact allocation of AB 247 has not yet been determined.
A poll conducted by the Trust for Public Land showed that 71% of respondents support the transformation of asphalt playgrounds into green spaces to lessen heat risks as well as establish more community parks. Some 53% of respondents said that they would be more likely to vote for the $14 billion bond if green schoolyards were included in the fund allocation.
“The climate is changing and so should our schools,” said Altamirano. “Children are the most susceptible to extreme heat illnesses and we have the opportunity to actually change that dynamic by investing $1 billion in this.”
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