WHO: The Metropolitan Water Reclamation District of Greater Chicago (MWRD), Chicago Public Schools (CPS), Chicago Department of Water Management (CDWM), Healthy Schools Campaign (HSC) and Openlands

WHAT: Officials will gather to celebrate the completion of the 36th Space to Grow project.

WHERE/WHEN: Friday, May 30 at 10 a.m. at Spencer Elementary Technology Academy, 214 N. Lavergne Ave., Chicago.

A ribbon-cutting ceremony is scheduled for Spencer Elementary Technology Academy, 214 N. Lavergne Ave, Chicago, in the Austin neighborhood, on Friday, May 30 at 10 a.m. 

Spencer Academy can hold up to 190,872 gallons of stormwater per rain event. The schoolyard, which was mostly comprised of asphalt, was converted into a track and artificial turf field, volleyball court, basketball court, porous playground surfacing, nature play area, rain gardens, outdoor classroom, and permeable paver walkways. 

This schoolyard improvement is part of the Space to Grow program which transforms CPS schoolyards into dynamic places to learn and play, while also educating students on the importance of green infrastructure to manage stormwater.

Since 2014, the MWRD has partnered with CPS, Chicago Department of Water Management, Healthy Schools Campaign and Openlands on the Space to Grow program. The program has transformed over 34 schoolyards over that time with more upgrades planned. Learn more here.