Schoolyard Greening, Child Health, and Neighborhood Change: A Comparative Study of Urban U.S. Cities

Background: Schoolyard greening has emerged as an innovative approach to enhancing children’s health and environmental equity in urban U.S. cities. Yet, the implications for neighborhood dynamics and social equity are insufficiently understood.Methods: This comparative literature review synthesizes quantitative and qualitative evidence from peer-reviewed studies and case analyses of schoolyard greening in major U.S. cities.Results: Schoolyard greening consistently increases utilization and has a positive, though variable, effect on children’s physical activity and well-being. However, the benefits are not always equitably distributed, and greening projects can catalyze neighborhood change, sometimes leading to green gentrification.Conclusions: Greening urban schoolyards offers benefits for children’s health and urban sustainability but poses challenges for equity and social justice. Policies must prioritize inclusive, community-driven approaches to ensure the gains of greening are shared by vulnerable populations.