Cool Schools Projects
From Concept to Completion
Launched in 2015, Texas Trees Foundation’s Cool Schools program is specifically designed to provide green strategies at identified Dallas ISD schools.
- 70% of Dallas area elementary schools have less than seven percent tree canopy
- a minimum of 27% tree canopy is recommended to reduce exposure to harmful ultraviolet rays and air pollution
- In partnership with local funders and supporters, the goal is to plant trees at Dallas ISD schools to increase the local tree canopy to 30%
Custom art installations
Murals designed by local artists using inspiration from student drawings are installed at Cool School Neighborhood parks.
Open to the public
Every Cool School Neighborhood Park remains open to the public after school hours – a cherished benefit for members of the community
20 Dallas ISD schools completed
Learn more about all of our Cool Schools and the opening of their Neighborhood Parks
PAST PROJECTS
Cohort 1
August 2020 - Fall 2021
- Arturo Salazar Elementary School
- David G. Burnet Elementary School
- Frank Guzick Elementary School
- Reinhardt Elementary School
- Sam Houston Elementary School
- Sylvia Mendez CREW Leadership Academy
Cohort 2
August 2021 - Fall 2022
- Alex W. Spence Talented/Gifted Academy
- Anne Frank Elementary School
- Anson Jones Elementary School
- Esperanza "Hope" Medrano Elementary School
- Harold Wendell Lang Sr. Middle School
- Leila P. Cowart Elementary School
- Mockingbird Elementary School
Cohort 3
August 2022 - Fall 2023
Cohort 1
August 2020 - Fall 2021
Cohort 2 (August 2021-Fall 2022)
Arturo Salazar Elementary School
1120 S Ravinia Dr. | Dallas, TX 75211
Trees
- Previous # of trees: 50
- # of Trees Planted: 63
- # of Tree Species Planted: 21
Impact
- # of people impacted within .5 mile: 7,617
Playground Features
- embankment slide
- six sided climbing structure
- tree climber
- bird's nest swing
- parkour 4
Outdoor Learning Features
- limestone benches
- shellstone table
- clear art easels
- boulders
- 10 ft. logs
Community Gathering Features
- picnic tables
Social-Emotional Learning Features
- labryinth
Cohort 1 (August 2020-Fall 2021)
David G. Burnet Elementary School
3200 Kinkaid Dr. | Dallas, TX 75220
Trees
- previous # of trees: 75
- # of trees planted: 90
- initial tree canopy coverage: 12.37%
- % of increased canopy: 14.21%
Impact
- # of people impacted within .5 mile: 8,714
Playground Features
- flexus
- six sided climbing structure
- parkour 4
- spiner bowl
- double swing combination
- carousel with seats
Outdoor Learning Features
- hollow log
- chalkboards
- limestone benches
- shellstone table
- weather station
- boulders
- 10 ft. log
- observation stumps
Community Gathering Features
- picnic tables
Social-Emotional Learning Features
- wooden musical instruments
Cohort 1 (August 2020-Fall 2021)
Frank Guzick Elementary School
5000 Berridge Ln. | Dallas, TX 75227
Trees
- previous # of trees: 52
- # of trees planted: 84
- # of tree species planted: 16
Impact
- # of people impacted within .5 mile: 4,817
Playground Features
- witch's tower
- six sided climbing structure
- double swing combination
- parkour 4
Outdoor Learning Features
- wooden stumps
- 10 ft. log
- boulders
- grassy mounds
- limestone benches
- specimen table
- soil observation
- weather station
- collection tables
- chalkboards
- birdhouses
Community Gathering Features
- picnic tables
Social-Emotional Learning Features
- labyrinth
Cohort 1 (August 2020-Fall 2021)
Reinhardt Elementary School
5000 Berridge Ln. | Dallas, TX 75227
Trees
- previous # of trees: 23
- # of trees planted: 80
- # of tree species planted: 21
Impact
- # of people impacted within .5 mile: 3,570
Playground Features
- embankment slide
- spinner bowl
- bird's nest swing
- witch's tower
- parkour
Outdoor Learning Features
- chalkboards
- limestone benches
- 10 ft. logs
- boulders
Community Gathering Features
- picnic tables
Social-Emotional Learning Features
- labyrinth
- wooden musical instruments
Cohort 1 (August 2020-Fall 2021)
Sam Houston Elementary School
2827 Throckmorton St. | Dallas, TX 75219
Trees
- previous # of trees: 21
- # of trees planted: 35
- # of tree species planted: 12
Impact
- # of people impacted within .5 mile: 804
Playground Features
- tree climber
- six sided climbing structure
- double swing combination
- spicas
- parkour 4
- spinner bowls
Outdoor Learning Features
- wood stump seating
- weather station
- soil observation
- specimen table
- 10 ft. log
- no mow zone
- boulders
- birdhouses
- chalkboard
- collection tables
Community Gathering Features
- picnic tables
Fitness Equipment
- stepping pods
- incline press
- dip bench
- push up bars
Social-Emotional Learning Features
- percussion play musical instruments
- small babel
- cadenza
- freechimes
- congas
Cohort 1 (August 2020-Fall 2021)
Sylvia Mendez CREW Leadership Academy
Located in John Ireland Elementary School
1515 N. Jim Miller Rd. | Dallas, TX 75217
Trees
- previous # of trees: 38
- # of trees planted: 89
- # of tree species planted: 15
Playground Features
- witch's tower
- spinner bowl
- bird's nest swing
- parkour 4
- carousel with seats
Outdoor Learning Features
- stump seating
- soil observation
- weather station
- no mow zone
- lime stone benches
- bird houses
- grassy mounds
Social-Emotional Learning Features
- percussion play musical instruments
Cohort 2
August 2021 - Fall 2022
Cohort 2 (August 2021-Fall 2022)
Alex W. Spence Talented/Gifted Academy
4001 Capitol Ave. | Dallas, TX 75204
Trees
- Previous # of trees: 197
- # of Trees Planted: 109
- # of Tree Species Planted: 18
- Initial Tree Canopy Coverage: 31.30%
- % of Increased Canopy after tree planting: 21.35%
Impact
- # of people impacted within .5 mile: 6,069
Playground Features
- double zip-line
- cocwave swing
- bloqx 2
- tipi carousel
- spica
- double swing combination
- bloqx 3
Outdoor Learning Features
- custom stage
- 10 ft log
- sitting stumps
- no mow area
- boulders
Community Gathering Features
- picnic tables
Cohort 2 (August 2021-Fall 2022)
Anne Frank Elementary
5201 Celestial Rd. | Dallas, TX 75254
Trees
- Previous # of trees: 95
- # of Trees Planted: 100
- # of Tree Species Planted: 17
- Initial Tree Canopy Coverage: 15.27%
- % of Increased Canopy after tree planting: 23%
Impact
- # of people impacted within .5 mile: 5,495
Playground Features
- jungle dome
- cocowave pendulum
Outdoor Learning Features
- limestone benches
- blackboard
- custom wood stage
- soil observation
- magnifying station
- observation stumps
- art easels
Community Gathering Features
- picnic tables
Social-Emotional Learning Features
- labyrinth
- percussion play small babel drum
- cadenza
- pentatonic free chimes
- congos
Cohort 2 (August 2021-Fall 2022)
Anson Jones Elementary School
3901 Meredith Ave. | Dallas, TX 75211
Trees
- Previous # of trees: 53
- # of Trees Planted: 95
- # of Tree Species Planted: 18
- Initial Tree Canopy Coverage: 23.27%
- % of Increased Canopy after tree planting: 29.80%
Impact
- # of people impacted within .5 mile: 8,590
Playground Features
- embankment slide
- parkour 4
- six-sided climbing stucture
- tipi carousel
- double swing combination
Outdoor Learning Features
- limestone benches
- chalkboard
- clear art easels
- collection tables
- sitting stumps
- soil observation units
Community Gathering Features
- picnic tables
Social-Emotional Learning Features
- percussion play
- calypso chimes
- sensory path combined with labyrinth
Cohort 2 (August 2021-Fall 2022)
Esperanza "Hope" Medrano Elementary School
2221 Lucas Dr. | Dallas, TX 75219
Trees
- Previous # of trees: 254
- # of Trees Planted: 77
- # of Tree Species Planted: 19
- Initial Tree Canopy Coverage: 43.03%
- % of Increased Canopy after tree planting: 18.71%
Impact
- # of people impacted within .5 mile: 6,709
Playground Features
- six-sided climbing structure
- double swing combination
- spinner bowl
- witch's tower
- toddler play panel
Outdoor Learning Features
- large blackboard
- limestone benches
- root viewers
- magnifying stations
- hollow log
- raised play tables
- art easels
- sitting stumps
- 10 ft. log
- birdhouses
Community Gathering Features
- picnic tables
Social-Emotional Learning Features
- sensory path
- percussion play
- standing chimes
Cohort 2 (August 2021-Fall 2022)
Harold Wendell Lang Sr. Middle School
1678 Chenault St. | Dallas, TX 75228
Trees
- Previous # of trees: 170
- # of Trees Planted: 225
- # of Tree Species Planted: 17
- Initial Tree Canopy Coverage: 25.95%
- % of Increased Canopy after tree planting: 25.78%
Impact
- # of people impacted within .5 mile: 6,158
Playground Features
- double combination swing
- agility ropes course
- spicas
Exercise Equipment
- cross trainer
- stationary city bike
- leg lift/pull up unit
- squat shoulder press
- lateral pull down unit
- combi steps
Outdoor Learning Features
- clear art easels
- loop benches
Community Gathering Features
- picnic tables
- loop benches
Cohort 2 (August 2021-Fall 2022)
Leila P. Cowart Elementary School
1515 S Ravinia Dr. | Dallas, TX 75211
Trees
- Previous # of trees: 83
- # of Trees Planted: 98
- # of Tree Species Planted: 18
- Initial Tree Canopy Coverage: 8.93%
- % of Increased Canopy after tree planting: 30.78%
Impact
- # of people impacted within .5 mile: 7,510
Playground Features
- double swing combination
- tipi carousel
- balanca beam
- waterlilies balance posts
- parkour 4
- six sided climbing structure
- carousel with seats
Outdoor Learning Features
- wooden benches
- white board
- magnifying station
- soil observation
- collection tables
- art easels
Community Gathering Features
- picnic tables
Social-Emotional Learning Features
- percussion play
- musical harmony flowers
- sensory path
R
Cohort 2 (August 2021-Fall 2022)
Mockingbird Elementary School
5828 E Mockingbird Ln. | Dallas, TX 75206
Trees
- Previous # of trees: 143
- # of Trees Planted: 55
- # of Tree Species Planted: 15
- Initial Tree Canopy Coverage: 30.48%
- % of Increased Canopy after tree planting: 15.98%
Impact
- # of people impacted within .5 mile: 4,596
Playground Features
- witch's tower
- parkour 4
- suprenova
- balance beam
Outdoor Learning Features
- specimen tables
- soil observation
- grassy mound
- boulders
- magnifying station
- limestone benches
- collection table
- blackboard
- hollow log
- 10 ft. log
Community Gathering Features
- picnic tables
Social-Emotional Learning Features
- labryinth
Cohort 3
August 2022 - Fall 2023
Cohort 3 (August 2022-Fall 2023)
F.P. Caillet Elementary
3033 Merrell Rd. | Dallas, TX 75229
Trees
- Previous # of trees: n/a
- # of Trees Planted: 100
- # of Tree Species Planted: 17
- Initial Tree Canopy Coverage: 4.12%
- % of Increased Canopy: 25.88%
Impact
- # of people impacted within .5 mile: 7,136
- # of tree planting volunteers: 100+
Playground Features
- double swing combination
- parkour 2
- carousel with seats
- embankment slide
- spinner bowls
- tipi carousel
Outdoor Learning Features
- art easels
- specimen tables
- magnifying station
- soil observation
- boulders
- 10 ft. log
- observation stumps
- benches
Community Gathering Features
- picnic tables
Cohort 3 (August 2022-Fall 2023)
L.O. Donald Elementary School
1218 Phinney Ave. | Dallas, TX 75211
Trees
- Previous # of trees: 18
- # of Trees Planted: 92
- # of Tree Species Planted: 15
- Initial Tree Canopy Coverage: 4.62%
- % of Increased Canopy after tree planting: 25.38%
Impact
- # of people impacted within .5 mile: 13,156
Playground Features
- double swing combination
- spinning supernova
- carousel with seats
- six-sided climbing structure
- wobble bridge
- water lilies balancing posts
- parkour 4
Outdoor Learning Features
- limestone blocks
- art easels
- no mow area
- collection tables
- grassy mound
- hollow log
Community Gathering Features
- picnic tables
Social-Emotional Learning Features
- sensory panels
- percussion play
- petal drum and harmony bells
Cohort 3 (August 2022-Fall 2023)
*Mark Twain Leadership Vanguard
724 Green Cove Ln.
Dallas, TX 75232
Trees
- Previous # of trees: 80
- # of Trees Planted: n/a
- # of Tree Species Planted: n/a
- Initial Tree Canopy Coverage: 9.17%
- % of Increased Canopy after tree planting: 21.83%
Impact
- # of people impacted within .5 mile: 5,022
Playground Features
- combi 4
- bloqx 3
- double swing combination
- inclusive twister
Outdoor Learning, Community Gathering, and Social-Emotional Learning Features
- forthcoming
*this planting is being rescheduled from its original date
Cohort 3 (August 2022-Fall 2023)
Nancy Moseley Elementary School
10400 Rylie Road | Dallas, TX 75217
Trees
- Previous # of trees: 47
- # of Trees Planted: 88
- # of Tree Species Planted: 16
- Initial Tree Canopy Coverage: 7.08%
- % of Increased Canopy after tree planting: 22.92%
Impact
- # of people impacted within .5 mile: 1,616
Playground Features
- double swing combination
- six-sided climbing structure
- parkour 4
- wobble bridge
- tipi carousel
- single balance beam
- waterlilies balancing posts
Outdoor Learning Features
- colorful loop benches
- art easels
- collection tables
- soil observation
- magnifying station
- no mow area
- birhouses
Community Gathering Features
- picnic tables
Social-Emotional Learning Features
- sensory path
- percussion play petal drum
Cohort 3 (August 2022-Fall 2023)
San Jacinto Elementary School
7900 Hume Dr. | Dallas, TX 75227
Trees
- Previous # of trees: 29
- # of Trees Planted: 96
- # of Tree Species Planted: 19
- Initial Tree Canopy Coverage: 4.25%
- % of Increased Canopy after tree planting: 25.75%
Impact
- # of people impacted within .5 mile: 8,506
Playground Features
- cocowave swing
- bird's nest swing
- parkour 2
- embankment slide
- waterlilies balancing posts
- single balance beam
Outdoor Learning Features
- limestone benches
- art easels
- collection tables
- soil observation
- birdhouses
- magnifying station
- no mow area
- grassy mounds
Community Gathering Features
- picnic tables
Social-Emotional Learning Features
- labyrinth
- percussion play
- harmony flowers
Cohort 3 (August 2022-Fall 2023)
Walnut Hill International Leadership Academy
2151 Royal Ln. | Dallas, TX 75229
Trees
- Previous # of trees: 56
- # of Trees Planted:
- # of Tree Species Planted:
- Initial Tree Canopy Coverage:
- % of Increased Canopy after tree planting:
Impact
- # of people impacted within .5 mile: 3,670
Playground Features
- double swing combination
- spinner bowl
- six-sided climbing structure
- bloqx 3
- tipi carousel with top brace
- embankment slide
Cohort 3 (August 2022-Fall 2023)
Walnut Hill International Leadership Academy
2151 Royal Ln. | Dallas, TX 75229
Trees
- Previous # of trees: 56
- # of Trees Planted:
- # of Tree Species Planted:
- Initial Tree Canopy Coverage:
- % of Increased Canopy after tree planting:
Impact
- # of people impacted within .5 mile: 3,670
Playground Features
- double swing combination
- spinner bowl
- six-sided climbing structure
- bloqx 3
- tipi carousel with top brace
- embankment slide
What People Say
Student engagement is improving and student discipline issues are decreasing as a result of the children interacting with nature, which satisfies their curiosity and allows them to solve problems in a real-world setting.
Lisa Lovato
Former Principal at Dan D. Rogers Elementary School
FAQs
All Cool Schools are chosen at the discretion of Dallas ISD leadership. Other schools within Dallas ISD have been chosen and privately funded by generous donors. For all other inquiries on how to become a Cool Schools please contact lindsay@texastrees.org or graham@texastrees.org.
Contact Alex Rea, Development Manager, at alex@texastrees.org.
Lyda Hill Philanthropies, The Trust for Public Land, Dallas ISD, Dallas Parks & Recreation, Studio Outside, and Amazon.
The Cool Schools program is always eager to have volunteers for various events. All volunteers must submit a background check through voly.com/DallasISD every school year. For year-round volunteer opportunities, visit texastrees.org/volunteer.
With more than 50 years of experience, KOMPAN is one of the best known brands within commercial playground equipment, outdoor fitness, and outdoor furniture.
Mezger Stone provides locally sourced limestone benches and tables that create our community gathering and outdoor learning spaces on Cool Schools campuses.
Percussion Play has created a diverse range of outdoor musical instruments for music parks and playgrounds – creating hands-on music making experiences for individuals and families.
INTERESTED IN HAVING A "COOL SCHOOL" NEAR YOU?
Drop us a line today to discuss how we can help your campus increase the connection of students and teachers to nature by planting trees and creating fun and engaging outdoor experiential learning areas.