Mary McLeod Bethune Schoolyard

OLIN worked with the Trust for Public Land (TPL) and the School District of Philadelphia to invigorate and elevate the Mary McLeod Bethune School landscape in North Philadelphia. This project presented an opportunity to transform a barren asphalt lot into an exciting place for play, learning, art, joy, and experiences with nature. Through a community and school engagement process, OLIN and the design team met with students and faculty to carry out a vision that excites students, staff, and the adjacent community, and equally important, one that honors the principles and wisdom of Mary McLeod Bethune. OLIN collaborated with local artists at Amber Arts to develop a discreet program of murals throughout the schoolyard depicting scenes of Mary’s life. Each mural is accompanied by her inspirational words, buttressing the schoolyard entry with her most famous quote “Enter to learn; depart to serve”.

The design mission was bolstered by a rigorous working process between our civil engineering consultant AKRF and the Philadelphia Water Department (PWD)—seeing that the schoolyard captures 100% of the stormwater that falls on site and turns impervious surfaces into collection areas that improve water quality. The true challenges of this project were to maintain site disturbance to less than 15% and to provide easily managed, accessible natural areas; this schoolyard thereby helps fulfill the critical citywide mandate to reduce the volume and impact of stormwater runoff on city-managed properties as an expedient approach to mitigating the burden on Philadelphia’s combined sewer system.

With our play consultants at Studio Ludo, OLIN developed modes of play that broadly serve the community and different school age groups through various equipment at multiple skill levels. Our local artists proved significant project contributors—delivering meaningful murals that speak to the history, character, and community of each school and its neighborhood. Through outreach efforts spearheaded by TPL, OLIN and the design team established meaningful relationships with the school and the community and have been humbled by the enormous impact and pride that this schoolyard will create—now and into the future.

Location
Philadelphia, PA

Owner
Trust for Public Land and the School District of Philadelphia

Status
Completed 2024

Key Team Members
Trevor Lee, Partner
Demetrios Staurinos, Partner