Nature play

Community schoolyard with nature and walking paths, pollinator gardens coming to Maxfield Elementary

Those breaking ground on June 4 included Trust for Public Land Minnesota State Director Sophie Harris Vorhoff, Saint Paul City Councilmember Anika Bowie, Maxfield’s Principal Dr. Leslie Hitchens, Metropolitan Council Member Toni Carter and SPPS Superintendent Dr. Stacie Stanley.(Photo submitted)

Cory Ryan

[Delete this attachment] Toni Carter and former Maxfield student Michael Martin.

Superintendent Stacie Stanley and Toni Carter

Maxfield Principal Leslie Hitchens

Cory Ryan

Posted Friday, June 13, 2025 4:12 pm

Maxfield Elementary and local community, held a groundbreaking on June 4, 2025 for a community schoolyard at Maxfield Elementary. It marked the start of transforming the 2.4-acre schoolyard adjacent to I-94 into a vibrant, green community space. The project will incorporate nature and walking paths, pollinator gardens, play space, community gathering space and more, creating a dynamic, nature-based environment for students and the surrounding community.
For over 130 years, Maxfield Elementary has served generations of students from the Rondo neighborhood. Once complete, Maxfield’s schoolyard will serve thousands of students and 8,000 neighbors within a 10-minute walk of the school. Designed by students and neighbors, community schoolyards can improve learning, mitigate climate change impacts, and contribute to physical and mental well-being. The Maxfield Elementary Community Schoolyard Project will be one of the first such projects statewide.