April 17, 2008

Green Schoolyards Lead to Better Health

WASHINGTON, DC — What better place for learning than the schoolyard? See how green schoolyards can lead to active, green, and livable communities in the Sustainable Schoolyard exhibit at the U.S. Botanic Garden this summer.

The American Planning Association (APA) along with a network of partners is presenting the Sustainable Schoolyard exhibit May 24–October 13, 2008.

Sustainable Schoolyard will illustrate the direct connection between a community's design and the health and well-being of its residents — using schoolyards as the starting point.

Throughout the exhibit, visitors will learn about:

• Locating key destinations such as schools within walking or biking distance;
• Incorporating elements such as pedestrian-friendly sidewalks, dedicated bike lanes and paths, and parks and plazas for gathering;
• Maintaining open and natural spaces for exercise, exploration, and relaxation.

Elements on display in the exhibit are present in schoolyards across the country and can easily be replicated. Displays will include edible gardens, energy and water systems, solar technologies, wildlife habitat gardens, and green building materials.

Sustainable Schoolyard is part of the U.S. Botanic Garden's larger exhibit One Planet — Ours. Information about this exhibition is available at www.usbg.gov/education/events/One-Planet-Ours.cfm. Special events including a panel discussion about greening schoolyards will be held throughout the summer.

APA is part of the Friends of Smart Growth and Sustainable Communities presenting Sustainable Schoolyard. Other participating organizations include American Farmland Trust, Concern, Inc., National Association of Counties, National Association of Realtors, The Conservation Fund, The Cloud Institute for Sustainability Education, and The Smart Growth Network.

Contact  

Roberta Rewers, APA, 312-786-6395; rrewers@planning.org