Middleton Elementary School

Funded by California Natural Resources Administration’s Urban Greening Grant and developed in partnership with Los Angeles Unified School District (LAUSD), TreePeople is planning and implementing a comprehensive school greening project at Middleton Street Elementary School. Located in the City of Huntington Park, this project will continue TreePeople’s established and long-standing commitment to providing urban greening to the Huntington Park community.

Middleton’s campus is covered in asphalt with no permeable surfaces, turf, and limited tree canopy. Aside from approximately 10 trees, the campus is completely hardscape. As early as March, the campus grounds become so hot that students seek comfort under staircases for shade during recess. Yet the campus’ size provides a unique opportunity that does not exist in Huntington Park. The campus spans almost an entire block, totaling over 5.25 acres.

In collaboration with landscape architects SALT, TreePeople will implement a full campus school greening project that will transform the school into a sustainable landscape that benefits its school community. Plans include the removal of over 25,000 square feet of asphalt, which will be replaced by over 80 shade trees, extensive native planting and pollinator gardens, permeable surfaces, outdoor learning and gathering spaces, shaded multi-use athletic fields, nature-based play areas,and an educational container garden.

TreePeople’s holistic approach to greening prioritizes the voices most affected by this work: the school community. Our bilingual school greening team has been at work facilitating listening sessions and workshops for parents, students, and faculty. Through surveys, workshops, and extensive community outreach, the school community is able to share their visions directly with TreePeople and SALT landscape architects about what it is they want for their outdoor space.