New parks space available to Tacoma residents thanks to schoolyard conversions
As part of an effort to increase access to parks for Tacoma residents, two elementary schools in Tacoma saw new schoolyards open on May 19.
The new schoolyards at Whitman and Mann elementary schools will be accessible to students during the school day and open to the public as a park after school hours and on weekends. They are the result of a partnership between the nonprofit Trust for Public Land, Tacoma Public Schools and Parks Tacoma, and cost about $2 million. The three partner organizations and other groups like Kaiser Permanente, the State of Washington and Boeing contributed funding to the project.
“We want all kids to have safe, welcoming spaces to learn and play, and that’s exactly what this does,” Korey Strozier, president of the Tacoma Public Schools Board, said in a release.
The schoolyard at Whitman Elementary includes additional greenery, a renovated playground with absorbent surfaces to prevent flooding, a walking path and a new outdoor classroom. The new schoolyard at Mann Elementary replaces one that largely consisted of asphalt and has been revitalized to feature new play equipment, more outdoor seating, walking paths and more, according to a release from Parks Tacoma.
“Parks are spaces that bring the community together and encourage children to play and be active,” Park Board President Andrea Smith said in a release. “We’re thrilled to join our partners in creating kid-designed schoolyards that bring more opportunities for health and connectivity to Tacoma’s underserved neighborhoods.”
The Trust for Public Land, Tacoma Public Schools and Parks Tacoma are currently working on securing funding for a similar project at Larchmont Elementary.
This story was originally published May 23, 2025 at 5:00 AM.
