Greening Schoolyards Across Los Angeles: Supporting Healthy, Resilient Campuses
Herrera is proud of our continued efforts alongside the Los Angeles Unified School District (LAUSD) and Council for Watershed Health in transforming schoolyards into vibrant, green spaces that improve student mental health, physical activity and learning. Partnering with the community benefit organization Nature for All, we recently led the green schoolyard design efforts at both Rosa Parks Learning Center and Primary Academy for Success.
At each school, Nature for All led an extensive community engagement effort and Herrera provided design leadership from engagement through 50% Construction Documentation, guiding the design through LAUSD’s formal design review process. Our team helped to develop survey tools, conceptual illustrations, and community-focused exhibits for Nature for All to gather meaningful input and for Herrera to translate it into design.
Through inclusive engagement, we created conceptual alternatives grounded in each school community’s priorities—focusing on shaded areas, outdoor learning spaces, habitat gardens, and nature-based play. From concept to construction documents, we ensured every design element met technical, funding, and educational criteria.
As cities across the state look to reimagine school infrastructure as equitable, climate-resilient public space, Herrera’s California team is ready to bring thoughtful, community-centered designs to more campuses.
Posted In:
California, Landscape Architecture, Site Design