GREEN SPACE OPPORTUNITIES 2025-2026
Opportunity
PUSD invites students, families, and the community to take part in improving the green spaces throughout PUSD. Below are opportunities to revitalize green spaces throughout our schools, including placement of a dedication sign to acknowledge your contribution.
Background
The Board’s development and approval of a Strategic Plan in March 2023 included four strategic priorities, including “Creating an Environment to Thrive.” This priority includes the following:
“Cultivate a culture of caring, belonging, and trust that will provide students and staff with the support they need to foster connections and truly engage in meaningful learning. Provide green, open spaces for students and staff to unplug and recharge in a welcoming and natural setting.”
To these ends, the identification and development of a plan to cultivate green spaces throughout our campuses is presented in this document and in a presentation deck linked HERE. At the 11/20/24 Superintendent’s Advisory Council, green spaces were presented to the community, including opportunities for community engagement through sponsorship and volunteer opportunities. Below is a report that highlights green space opportunities, followed by recent green space improvements.
An Invitation
The green space opportunities below are prioritized according to two categories: first, locations that are or could be used by students and staff, and second, locations that are perimeter or adjacent spaces that are high traffic and highly visible.
For groups who wish to sponsor or volunteer, please contact Pete Palmer at ppalmer@piedmont.k12.ca.us A special thanks to Pete, our groundskeeping team, and our custodial team for ensuring our schools are wonderful green spaces for our students and staff to thrive.
Green Space Sponsors will have a gratitude sign posted at the Green Space location.
Thank you!
Jennifer Hawn, Ed.D. Superintendent
Piedmont
Unified School District
Green Space Location
Green Space Opportunity
Beach Lunch Area:
This space is irrigated and a lift opportunity to improve newly fenced area with some vines to improve the aesthetic
Green Space Location
Green Space Opportunity
Lunch Area: perimeter of the lunch could use a refresh. It is and a lengthy space. tables have replaced older wood tables, and improved green space further enhance the for our students.
Green Space Location
Green Space Opportunity
Beach Playground:
This space is irrigated and a low lift opportunity to improve this existing green space in the main use area for students.
Green Green Space Opportunity
Beach Playground:
This space is irrigated and a low lift opportunity to improve this existing green space in the main use area for students.
Green Space Location
Green Space Opportunity
Wildwood Playground:
There is minimal green space on the WW playground, which might benefit from additional planters and/or a refresh of existing planters. There is nearby irrigation.
Green Space Location
Green Space Opportunity
PMS Upper Courtyard:
Given how great the green space and patio look on the upper courtyard, these two planters really stand out. Thanks to the Parent Club, we have one planted, but the other one is still available. The Olive tree looks great, doesn’t it? Another one would be even better.
Green Space Location
Green Space Opportunity
PMS Near the Courts/Steps:
There is an existing planter with irrigation that would be a low-lift opportunity to refresh this planter.
Green Space Location Green Space Opportunity
PMS/District Office:
Also in between PMS and the District Office. The central vacuum equipment has now been removed, leaving the green space open for a refresh. There is one solitary bush, but it’s otherwise an empty space in need of some green space love.
Students hang out on the steps, and cross through between this building and the PE/Music building throughout the day.
Green Space Location
Green Space Opportunity
MHS:
This space is a main hangout and lunch space for MHS students. It’s a nice space, but the area needs to be leveled so that the decomposed granite (DG) extends to the fence and increases the space for more students. Landscaping, DG and additional tables are needed.
This green space project could be a partnership with the district next summer, where we level the space and provide more DG, and perhaps tables or additional trees are donated.
Green Space Location Green Space Opportunity
PHS:
This courtyard area at the north end of the campus near the park is irrigated and in need of a refresh, including green space and tables.
Green Space Location
Green Space Opportunity
PHS:
This courtyard area at the north end of the campus near the park is irrigated and in need of a refresh, including green space and tables.
Green Space Location
Green Space Opportunity
PHS:
This courtyard area at the north end of the campus near the park is irrigated and in need of a refresh, including green space and tables.
Green Space Location Green Space Opportunity
PHS:
This back area behind the 20s building has a butterfly garden that ends at this point. Extending the landscaping to include this area would improve the space for students and staff.
Green Space Location
Green Space Opportunity
PHS Breezeway:
This area is hot and blinding on a sunny day. Planters would improve the space.
Green Space Location
Green Space Opportunity
PHS/MHS
Adjacent to Quad and next to the Special Education building and amphitheater: This space has an existing planter that would benefit from a refresh and some additional benches.
GRATITUDE
Last year we held a green space workshop in the fall and invited our community to partner with PUSD on improving our green spaces. And, no surprise our community rose to the occasion in a variety of ways. Below are the results of various green space projects.
GREEN SPACE LOCATION IMPROVEMENTS
PMS
The PMS Parent Club sponsored a campus beautification event, including power washing the planters/walls, and weeding/mulching the landscaping on the upper patio.
GREEN SPACE LOCATION IMPROVEMENTS
PMS
The PMS Parent Club sponsored a campus beautification event, including power washing the planters/walls, and weeding/mulching the landscaping on the upper patio.
GREEN SPACE LOCATION IMPROVEMENTS
PMS
The side area is periodically used as a mini-ampitheater for classes, and has had a refresh with some of the weeds/brush removed and benches placed for outdoor learning.
GREEN SPACE LOCATION IMPROVEMENTS & OPPORTUNITIES
Havens
We improved all of the ground space on the southern playground with new mulch/ bark. Bark offers a more uniform appearance and is better than dirt; however, you can see that it does start to spread to the playground.
This area could also be sponsored with some plantings and low iron fencing to improve the area beyond just mulch/bark.
GREEN SPACE LOCATION IMPROVEMENTS & OPPORTUNITIES
Havens
This is the outer area of the campus on Bonita. The photo on the top left is the before, and the bottom photo and the photo on the right are the after photos. Much improved green spaces!
GREEN SPACE LOCATION IMPROVEMENTS
Wildwood
This area got a tree trimming this summer and is much brighter during brunch and lunch.
GREEN SPACE LOCATION IMPROVEMENTS
& OPPORTUNITIES
PHS
Thanks to the Senior Class of 2025, this green space wall on the 20’s building will attract the vine to spread across over time. What a wonderful green space seating area for students and staff.
GREEN SPACE LOCATION IMPROVEMENTS
& OPPORTUNITIES
PHS
This is the PHS student center outdoor seating area. The photo on the left is the before, which was gravel and a few lunch tables.
The photo on the right is the after with a new seat wall, trees, and plantings, along with high impact turf. It is a wonderful new space, and the students seem to love it!
GREEN SPACE LOCATION IMPROVEMENTS
& OPPORTUNITIES
PHS
Thanks to parents, the planters in between the 20s and 30s building are refreshed as of last year. They really improve the green space seating area for students and staff.
