Three elementary school campuses in the Santa Paula Unified School District (SPUSD) in Ventura County are undergoing transformations, thanks in part to California Climate Investments funding. SPUSD will be removing asphalt and introducing more greenery, play structures, and outdoor learning spaces at Blanchard Elementary School, Glen City Elementary School and Barbara Webster Elementary School, creating safer and more accessible outdoor areas for students to use all year long.
SPUSD received California Climate Investments Funding in 2023 as part of an Urban and Community Forestry Green Schoolyard Grant from the California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection. The grant totaled $7.4 million, with just over $188,000 in California Climate Investments funding.
Blanchard Elementary School staff collaborating with Pacific Coast Land Design in a schematic design meeting at Glen City Elementary School.
All three schools are either in low-income areas, or they have a large majority of students who are English learners, foster youth, or eligible for free or reduced priced meals. The outdoor areas at the schools are currently made up of grass and pavement, with no shade and very few trees. Due to the lack of shade, traditional play structures become extremely hot and unsafe to use during the hottest days of the year.
Glen City Elementary School with typical asphalt schoolyard lacking shade and trees.
To help make schoolyards cooler and safer for students even in the hottest summer months, SPUSD will plant almost 400 trees, remove concrete and asphalt, plant water-efficient landscapes and gardens that will absorb rain, add two outdoor classrooms, construct nature-based play structures, create natural pathways, and install an efficient irrigation system. SPUSD is also working with the City of Santa Paula Parks and Recreation Department to ensure that access to the playfields and facilities will also be available to the community during non-school hours and create additional programming opportunities.
Students, staff, and parents are all involved to help make the vision for these schools a reality. “This project presents an incredible opportunity for Glen City Elementary STEAM Academy and the entire Santa Paula community. We are excited about the long-term STEAM advantages it will provide for our students, families, and staff. We believe it will create new pathways for students to learn, grow, and participate in meaningful, hands-on experiences while deepening their understanding and appreciation of a green school—made possible through the Green Schools Grant Project,” said Juan Guzman, Glen City Elementary School Principal.
Barbara Webster Elementary School.
SPUSD worked with landscape architects to design the outdoor spaces and has presented to the schools on their plans. Jeff Madrigal, Principal of Barbara Webster Elementary School, expressed excitement about the plans, saying “The Barbara Webster community is very excited to have this renovation of our school yard. Our school, the Barbara Webster Academy for Sports and Health Sciences, has sports and physical health as a part of our mission. Having our yard renovated will promote students interacting with the outdoor equipment and engaging in productive play outside. The nature-play equipment and new running circle will benefit our school play times as well as our after school activities.”
SPUSD is excited to provide children in the community spaces to play and learn amongst nature. With enrollment levels declining at many schools, SPUSD also hopes that these improvements help boost enrollment and ensure that these schools continue to be centers for learning and growth into the future.