Trust for Public Land Celebrates Design Unveiling for New Community Schoolyard at Jennings CLC

Trust for Public Land, in partnership with Akron Public Schools and Jennings Community Learning Center, is excited to celebrate the unveiling of the design concept for Akron’s first Community Schoolyard. 

The project team launched a participatory design process that engaged students, teachers, and neighbors in shaping the vision for the space. Through this effort, students have contributed ideas, explored playground features, and learned about green infrastructure strategies that help manage stormwater, reduce urban heat, and improve the surrounding environment. 

Trust for Public Land is working with Akron Public Schools to transform the outdoor space at Jennings—known as “The Bowl”—into a vibrant Community Schoolyard. Designed in partnership with the school community, this new space will serve as a community park, bringing much-needed outdoor amenities to the North Hill neighborhood while supporting environmental sustainability and neighborhood resilience. 

This project is part of Trust for Public Land’s growing Community Schoolyards initiative, which converts schoolyards into green, accessible spaces for students and the broader community. 

Media is invited to attend the unveiling, and representatives from Trust for Public Land, Akron Public Schools, and Jennings Community Learning Center will be available for interviews. 

WHAT: 

Presentation of the design for the new Community Schoolyard at Jennings Community Learning Center 

WHERE: 

Jennings Community Learning Center 

227 E Tallmadge Ave 

Akron, OH 44310 

WHEN: 

Wednesday, May 27, 2026 4:00 – 5:45 p.m. 

WHO: 

• Representatives from Trust for Public Land 
• Akron Public Schools officials 
• Jennings Community Learning Center leadership 
• Community partners and stakeholders 

About Trust for Public Land  

Trust for Public Land (TPL) is a national nonprofit that works to connect everyone to the benefits and joys of the outdoors. As a leader in equitable access to the outdoors, TPL works with communities to create parks and protect public land where they are needed most. Since 1972, TPL has protected more than 4 million acres of public land, created more than 5,504 parks, trails, schoolyards, and iconic outdoor places, raised $112 billion in public funding for parks and public lands, and connected nearly 10 million people to the outdoors. To learn more, visit tpl.org.