Policy and Systems Change

Schoolyards are one of the most widely used public spaces for children, yet they are rarely treated as essential infrastructure within education systems. Policy, funding, and accountability frameworks have historically focused on classrooms and curriculum—leaving schoolyards and recess under-supported, inconsistently governed, and highly inequitable.

Schoolyard quality should not depend on parent fundraising capacity or individual school leadership. Research shows that when schoolyards are left outside formal policy and funding structures, inequities widen and opportunities for inclusion, well-being, and climate resilience are lost. Embedding schoolyards and recess into policy frameworks enables:

• Consistent standards across schools and districts
• Sustainable funding and maintenance models
• Accountability for student well-being and inclusion
• Alignment with mental health, physical activity, and climate priorities

At Schoolyards For Thought, we translate research into practical, usable tools, including:

• Policy briefs and position statements
• Schoolyard quality indicators and surveys
• Design frameworks grounded in Universal Design
• Professional learning resources for educators and leaders
• Keynotes and Workshops

Our goal is not only to generate knowledge, but to ensure it informs policy, funding, and practice at scale.

All of our work is grounded in:

• Peer-reviewed research and national data
• Cross-sector collaboration (education, health, planning, climate)
• Practical implementation tools for decision-makers
• A systems-change lens that recognizes schoolyards as part of the whole school ecosystem