The Administration recommends that this be submitted for consideration through the FY 2024 budget process.  A partnership with TPL and MDCPS would engage the local community and local partners to explore opportunities for private investment in capital improvements at Biscayne Beach Elementary.   Phase I and Phase II would require up to $70,000 from the City with Phase III requiring between $300,000 to $2M of City funds.  As discussed in the FY 2023 Capital Budget process, It is important to note that the City’s five-year capital improvement plan includes $1.6 billion in unfunded needs, which will be further discussed in the upcoming FY 2024 budget process.

At the September 14, 2022 Commission meeting, Commissioner Rosen Gonzalez referred item C4B to the Public Safety and Neighborhoods Quality of Life Committee for a discussion regarding the Community Schoolyards Project.

At the January 11, 2022 Public Safety and Neighborhood Quality of Life Meeting the discussion regarding the Community Schoolyards Project resulted in a motion requesting the submittal of an enhancement request through the FY24 budget process to pursue a partnership with Trust for Public Land and Miami-Dade County Public Schools for a Community Schoolyard Project at Biscayne Beach Elementary School.

Community schoolyards, also known as green schoolyards, are open to the community after school hours and are designed by students, teachers and neighbors as nature-rich hubs for outdoor play, community health and climate resilience. They can include outdoor classrooms, gardens, stormwater capture, traditional playground equipment, nature play areas, trails, trees, water features, and more.

More than 20 years ago, Trust for Public Land (TPL) began working with cities and school districts to reimagine what schoolyards could be. TPL starts with a participatory design process that involves students in the creation of a green schoolyard. This allows students to learn about environmental challenges and contribute to the solution. Through curriculum based on state education standards, students practice real life skills and civic engagement while becoming invested in the long-term success of the schoolyard.

TPL has built more than 250 schools in a dozen communities across the country. In 2019, TPL launched an Atlanta Public Schools (APS) pilot project in partnership with Park Pride and the Urban Land Institute Atlanta office. At the end of 2022, TPL and partners at APS will have opened their 10th community schoolyard.

Community Schoolyards provide the benefits of the outdoors not just to students, but to the community as a whole. Seeing access to nature as a fundamental human need, TPL works to ensure that all community members live within a 10-Minute Walk of a park. One in three Americans – nearly 100 million people – lack access to a park within a 10-Minute walk of home.

By redesigning schoolyards and making them open to the community after hours and on weekends, TPL is striving to put a great park within a 10-Minute Walk of 19 million Americans. TPL has mapped out park access in all urban areas across America, using data based on income, number of children and diverse households to prioritize where they work.

TPL believes that time spent learning and playing in nature benefits the whole child and can help children reach their full potential. Access to safe, natural areas can enhance children’s physical and mental health, from improving cardiovascular vitality and weight management to reducing stress and ADHD symptoms. In addition, regular access to high quality green space inspires strong connections to the natural world.

TPL proposes a Scope of Work comprised of two phases: Phase I –Development of Approach and Phase 2 – Development of Consensus-Based Master Plan (Attachment A) at a combined cost between $50,000 and $70,000.  If funding is made available through the FY 2024 budget process, the Administration would work with Miami-Dade County Public Schools to refine this scope.  TPL estimates that it will take between 10 and 15 months to complete Phase I and Phase II.   

 Phase III (construction) costs for similar projects developed by TPL are approximately $325,000 which excludes any stormwater considerations. Stormwater components could increase Phase III costs to as much $2M.

Once the master plan is developed, and if approved by the Commission, Phase III of the project would be subject to availability of funding in the FY 2025 or FY 2026 budget process, and implemented by the City's Capital Improvements Office

TPL is committed to raising private funds to support student engagement and participatory design for Phase I and Phase II.  They also will work with local partners to explore other opportunities for private investment in capital improvements. 

49% of residents are satisfied or extremely satisfied with Miami Beach public schools

FY24 TPL Phase I and Phase II between $50,000 and $70,000.   Phase III would require approximately $325,000 which excludes any stormwater considerations, and as much as $2 million with stormwater components.  The  process takes about 15-18 months to complete. TPL is committed to raising private funds to support student engagement and participatory design for Phase I and Phase II. They also will work with local partners to explore other opportunities for private investment in capital improvements.