Trust for Public Land is applauding landmark legislation introduced by U.S. Senator Martin Heinrich of New Mexico and U.S. Representative Summer Lee of Pennsylvania that would help transform millions of acres of asphalt-covered schoolyards into nature-rich spaces for learning, play and community use.
“As a father, I’ve seen firsthand how important it is for kids to have outdoor spaces where they can learn, play and grow,” said Heinrich on introducing the Revitalizing America’s Schoolyards Act of 2026. “I’m proud to lead legislation in the Senate that will help New Mexico schools turn schoolyards into greener spaces where students can garden, conduct outdoor science experiments and connect with nature.”
New research from Trust for Public Land shows the impact of these transformations: Students at revitalized schoolyards are one-and-a-half times more likely to engage in meaningful physical activity during recess compared to students at similar schools without improvements, while opening schoolyards after hours also dramatically expands access, with overall community use tripling, and visits by children increasing nearly sixfold.
“Across the country, millions of children step out of their classrooms and see little more than asphalt outside their school—no shade, no trees and limited opportunities to learn or play outdoors. The Revitalizing America’s Schoolyards Act is a smart, cost-effective way to transform these spaces into greener, healthier environments that support learning, improve health, strengthen communities and civic engagement, and incorporate climate resilience solutions to drain stormwater and reduce heat,” said Dr. Carrie Besnette Hauser, president and CEO of Trust for Public Land. “For more than 25 years, Trust for Public Land has transformed hundreds of schoolyards in urban, rural and tribal communities. This important legislation will help scale this concept so that the opportunity is available to many more schools and communities nationwide.”
The Revitalizing America’s Schoolyards Act would establish, for the first time, a grant program to support the transformation of schoolyards into green, community-centered spaces—expanding access to nature for more than 20 million Americans without a nearby park. The program, which would be housed at the Department of Education, would provide grants up to $1 million to a local school or other eligible partner, for design and construction of revitalized schoolyards. The program would:
- Fund schoolyard renovations including planning and activation, while prioritizing communities with the greatest need, including Tribal schools and those facing extreme heat and low tree canopy.
- Boost kids’ health and learning outcomes and access to nature.
- Increase community climate resilience through more trees and shade.
Importantly, the bill also encourages shared-use agreements, allowing revitalized schoolyards to serve as community parks outside of school hours—expanding access to green space for neighborhoods that need it most.
“For 50 million children in America, the schoolyard is their daily opportunity to experience the outdoors,” said Danielle Denk, Community Schoolyards Initiative director at Trust for Public Land. “It is our obligation as adults and caretakers of our children’s future to make sure these spaces are safe, healthy and inspiring. This legislation will accelerate the equitable transformation of schoolyards into welcoming, nature-filled centers for learning, playing and connection—for tens of millions of students and community members.”
Trust for Public Land is urging supporters, educators and community leaders to call on congress to cosponsor and pass the Revitalizing America’s Schoolyards Act of 2026. With strong bipartisan support, this legislation could help ensure that schoolyards across America become vibrant hubs of health, learning, and community life.
Nationwide, public school districts collectively manage approximately 2 million acres of land used by nearly 50 million students. However, the majority of students experience schoolyards covered in heat-trapping asphalt, contributing to extreme heat and limiting opportunities for physical activity and outdoor learning. Revitalizing these spaces could dramatically expand access to safe, high-quality outdoor environments for students and communities alike.
Brand new polling by Trust for Public Land found that 87% of Americans agree children should spend time in a nature-filled outdoor space as part of every school day to achieve their highest potential.
Trust for Public Land is a national leader in the Community Schoolyards movement, and to date has partnered with communities to deliver more than 420 schoolyard transformations nationwide, benefiting both students and surrounding neighborhoods.