Growing Resilience: A Space to Grow Tour at Farmer Elementary

​Join Healthy Schools Campaign and partners during Chicago Water Week, presented by Current, for a tour of the Space to Grow schoolyard at James Farmer, Jr. Elementary School in Bronzeville. This event will highlight how green schoolyards function as both stormwater infrastructure and community assets. Participants will explore how this formerly asphalt-dominated space now supports health, water management, outdoor learning and connection to nature, and hear directly from school leaders and program partners about the site’s impact and ongoing stewardship.

Co-founded by Healthy Schools Campaign and Openlands, Space to Grow transforms schoolyards into vibrant, multifunctional spaces for entire school communities. The program receives capital funding, leadership and expertise from Chicago Public Schools, the Department of Environment, the Department of Water Management and the Metropolitan Water Reclamation District. Since 2014, 41 schoolyards have been completed, collectively capable of capturing more than 28 million gallons of stormwater annually.

This event is affiliated with Chicago Water Week, presented by Current.