Esperanza Elementary School Transforms Asphalt into Green Space, Enhancing Student Health and Environment
Esperanza Elementary School in Westlake, Los Angeles, has completed a significant greening project, converting approximately 30,000 square feet of asphalt into green space. This initiative, which took six years to finalize, involved planting 35 trees and native plants, increasing the campus's green area from 9% to 37%. The $4.5-million project, a collaboration between the Los Angeles Unified School District (LAUSD) and the Los Angeles Neighborhood Land Trust, with funding from Cal Fire and the California Natural Resources Agency, also includes a new lawn for recreation and instruction, stormwater capture features, and solar-reflective basketball and handball courts. Students and staff are already utilizing the new spaces for physical activity, relaxation, and outdoor learning.
