The School District of Philadelphia commissioned SALT to design a new schoolyard at Farrell School that would promote playful learning activities to enhance cognitive and social development for students in kindergarten through third grade. Located in the Rhawnhurst neighborhood, Farrell serves 1,200 students in grades K-8. More than 30 different languages are spoken at this school, one of the most culturally diverse in Philadelphia. This project was funded by the William Penn Foundation to specifically advance literacy and learning goals in public schoolyards through playful learning. After a year-long engagement process with students, a schoolyard concept emerged that focused on the energy and busy-ness of an active beehive. Drawing inspiration from honeycomb patterns and social habits of bees, SALT created a schoolyard that showcases native ecology and the journey of pollinators. The design incorporates programs, elements, and learning goals voiced by students, and features a wide variety of surfaces, textures and shapes for active and passive play, performance, socializing, gardening and nature exploration. Key components include a Gateway Plaza, Literacy Loop, Outdoor Classroom & Performance Space, separate play areas for older and younger kids, and a Native Meadow & Nature Discovery Trail. The Meadow creates a substantial green buffer close to the street and filled with urban-hardy, native perennial grasses, flowers and trees. A trail through the meadow provides teachers an outdoor place for hands-on natural science learning. Installed by Mural Arts artists, the Literacy Loop is a lively and unique pavement mural that tells the story of the honeybee and its habitat, emblazoned with native plants and animals.

Collaborators: Mural Arts Restored Spaces Initiative, David Mason + Associates, Rodriguez Consulting, Becker & Frondorf