A project in partnership with The Trust for Public Lands, Tacoma Public Schools, and Parks Tacoma
Latest Updates
May 2026: After securing additional funding to replace the lost EPA grant funding, construction was delayed but was completed in Spring 2026. Join us for a ribbon-cutting celebration on May 13, 2026 from 10 am to 12 pm!
Renovating a Schoolyard for the Community
Larchmont Elementary’s new community schoolyard would help bring quality green space to over 1,000 nearby residents – addressing one of the largest park access gaps of any major city in Washington. Larchmont Elementary in the Eastside neighborhood of Tacoma currently services 370 students. The schoolyard includes a simple playground, a well-worn natural turf field, and vacant grassy area. The grassy area represents a multitude of opportunities to bring the community’s vision to life for this play space. Students and neighbors already use the schoolyard regularly for drop-in activities, most notably for cricket. Creating a green schoolyard in this space would fortify community ownership and solidify the schoolyard as a community hub. Investing in this schoolyard would bring a high-quality park within a 10-minute walk of 1,102 nearby residents.
News
Community Schoolyard on Tacoma’s South End moving forward despite loss of a federal grant
New community schoolyards open at Whitman and Mann Elementary
More trees, fewer floods: Jennie Reed Elementary remakes recess with new community schoolyard
Larchmont Community Schoolyard and EPA Funding Loss
The recent reversal in grant funding undermines the collaborative planning and community engagement to build a more prosperous and vibrant future in Tacoma. While Trust for Public Land is disappointed with this decision, we stand firmly with the residents and surrounding communities who have championed this vision—we remain committed to realize the vision of this project and a more connected Tacoma.
The loss of EPA grant funding has the potential to delay the renovation of the playground at Larchmont Elementary School and or change the scope of the project which could result in a limited the number of trees planted, community amenities included such as benches, picnic tables, etc., and fewer community stewardship events that were planned to bring students and community members together to enhance the space. However, the project has not been canceled. While the loss of federal grant funding is a setback, the core project partners, Trust for Public Land, Tacoma Public Schools, and Parks Tacoma, are committed to finding alternative solutions to ensure this community space is renovated. We appreciate your patience and support as we navigate this unexpected challenge.
