Greenfield School's $880K Playground Makeover Reimagines Community Space
By James Young
Dramatic plans are in store for the Albert M. Greenfield School's popular outdoor space: rebuilt tree planters, an environmental rain garden, revamped seating areas, and taller, brighter light poles for improved security.
The comprehensive renovation will also feature an outdoor classroom for up to 30 students, multiple sports courts including three four-square courts, a large mural near the main entrance, and playground equipment designed to be "straightforward, simple, and easy to maintain," according to Megan Born, one of the landscape architects leading the project.
The Greenfield School, a K-8 institution in Center City West, is planning the complete transformation of its outdoor area through what the Greenfield Home & School Association (HSA) calls the Greenfield Open Spaces Project. Initial construction is slated to begin this summer after extensive community input and coordination with the School District of Philadelphia's Office of Capital Programs.
"Greenfield is so lucky to have such a beautiful set of outdoor spaces," said HSA at-large member Matt Thomas during a February presentation. "Rather than just slapping something down, [we took] a step back and thought about what we really want."
Community-Driven Design
The planning process has been remarkably thorough. Last year, Greenfield conducted 15 focus groups and interviews with students, parents, and community members, while a survey collected over 500 responses. Two landscape architects who are also Greenfield parents, Megan Born and Josh Ketchum, led the effort to transform this feedback into actionable plans.
"We got an astounding amount of feedback," Born said. The community input was organized into a detailed presentation addressing key areas: safety, greening, art, infrastructure, social and educational spaces, playground equipment, and sports & games.
Timeline and Funding
So far, Greenfield has raised approximately $585,000 toward its $880,000 goal, roughly two-thirds of the total needed. Reaching this fundraising goal represents the primary obstacle the project faces. "If all goes well, we will complete this project in Summer 2026," Thomas said, though he acknowledged that "a lot of things have to go right" to meet these targets. Besides fundraising, the school must navigate city permitting and inspections.
Construction will be handled by AKRF, a New York-based architecture and land development firm with experience in similar projects, including Abingdon Park & Playground in Montgomery County and Astoria Park & Playground in Queens.
Feedback and Concerns
While many attendees responded positively to the February HSA presentation, with member Erica Intzekostas saying, "I'm totally blown away… it makes me want to be a kid again," some concerns emerged.
Several members, including Intzekostas and Danni Figueroa, noted that the renovation lacked a dedicated volleyball area—highlighting a gender dynamic issue, as volleyball has historically been popular with the school's female students. After brainstorming, a solution emerged: adding a retractable volleyball net near the combined basketball/kickball court.
According to Ketchum, "the big motivator [for the project] was the surface of the playground cracking," but the renovation also addresses storage limitations and conflicts between shared play areas.
The Greenfield outdoor space serves not only students but the broader Center City West community. Even outside school hours, the area attracts local families, and this renovation promises to enhance an already valuable community asset.
Community members interested in supporting the Greenfield Open Spaces Project can contribute to the fundraising efforts through the project's donation page.
From The Community
Join Pick Up Philly – Keep Our Streets & Sidewalks Clean!
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Thanks very much for sharing this, James.
Exciting!