Trust for Public Land Breaks Ground on New Schoolyard at Maxfield Elementary

Large group of people in orange vests and hard hats holding shovels in front of school playground

Maxfield Elementary has been serving the Rondo community for 135 years. Originally located on Rondo Avenue, the school closed and the students moved to Maxfield's current location in 1955. Serving approximately 330 PreK-5 students today, Maxfield remains a staple of the community as both a school and a gathering place for the neighborhood.

Even more neighbors will soon be drawn to Maxfield thanks to the Trust for Public Land and a new community schoolyard that will be open by the start of the 2025-26 school year. Adjacent to the school's new playground, the 2.4-acre schoolyard 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.

At the groundbreaking ceremony on June 4, Sophie Harris Vorhoff, Minnesota State Director for the Trust for Public Land, shared a startling statistic: The average kid in America spends less than 10 minutes outside per day, compared to seven hours on a screen. Projects like the one at Maxfield are designed to change that, transforming schoolyards into vibrant green spaces and social hubs that serve students and residents after school hours. When outdoor spaces are accessible to surrounding neighborhoods, it helps students, families and neighbors remain active and healthy by providing a quality, close-to-home park.

At Maxfield, students, community leaders, district and school staff, and the American Society of Landscape Architects are working together to maximize the schoolyard’s potential. Once complete, the schoolyard will connect 8,000 people that live within a 10-minute walk to an awesome green space for everyone to enjoy.

Professional photos by Cory Ryan, courtesy of Trust for Public Land