WRD Environmental Results Gallery, Environmental Education

Richards Career Academy Learning Landscape, Chicago, IL

The City of Chicago Department of Housing and Economic Development, a bureau of the Chicago Department of Planning and Development (DPD), promotes economic development by helping existing businesses grow and by attracting new industry to the city. The landscape designs for this project were reviewed by Chicago Public Schools, and DPD intends to transfer ownership to Chicago Public Schools in the future.

• Work with teachers and students to identify goals for vacant land parcels and transition them into a learning landscape
• Work with Greencorps Chicago to implement the design

• A once-vacant parcel of land transformed into a learning landscape and community space for residents
• Incorporation of rain gardens and native plants that increase biodiversity, promote stormwater infiltration and support the school's science curriculum
• Raised beds that support the school's culinary curriculum

Read about sustainable results at Libby Elementary School and Harper High School.

Learn more about Chicago Public Schools.