The new Brown Schoolyard. — Photo by Bobbie Toner

Mayor Katjana Ballantyne and Superintendent Rubén Carmona invited the Somerville community to join a ribbon cutting ceremony for the new Brown Schoolyard on Tuesday, November 14. New schoolyard features including ADA accessible surfaces, colorful court game markings, a small turf field, seating, garden beds, stormwater management features to prevent puddling and flooding, and more were introduced to those who attended.

The Brown School is the oldest operating elementary school in Somerville and due to limited indoor assembly space, the school’s community utilizes the schoolyard space for activities year-round. This upgrade is the schoolyard’s first modern renovation.

Residents and school staff informed the design via a community-driven process. That input helped create a unique, accessible, and modern space for Brown School students and educators. Funding was provided by the Community Preservation Act, the federal American Rescue Plan Act, and the city bonding.

~Photos courtesy of City of Somerville

The ceremony began with remarks from Mayor Ballantyne, Ward 6 City Councilor Lance Davis, Somerville Public Schools Superintendent Carmona, and Ward 6 School Committee Member Ellenor Barish, among others. Following the ribbon cutting, guests were encouraged to explore the new schoolyard.

The ribbon cutting was recorded and made available for later viewing by the city’s GovTV team. Watch on-demand with optional closed-captioning (select the CC icon) on YouTube.com/SomervilleCityTV. Or watch on cable TV at GovTV Comcast Ch. 22 and GovTV Astound (RCN) Ch. 13 and 613.