SCHOOLYARD RENDERINGS PRODUCED BY UWM’S School of Architecture and Urban Planning (SARUP)

*Renderings are intended plans for the schoolyard and are subject to change.

Cass Street School’s community and partners have developed a common vision for a redeveloped greener, healthier schoolyard. The school is actively fundraising to help transform their conceptual plan into reality through December 2025.

Cass Street School is located within the Milwaukee River Watershed and the city’s Combined Sewer Service Area. The conceptual plan calls for removal of 27,900 sq. ft. of asphalt and replacing it with new green space and mixed-use recreation and educational areas. The design includes multiple gathering areas, bioswales, and the addition of 75 stormwater trees. The inclusion of a variety of native plantings allow for unique spaces on the schoolyard that can represent natural Wisconsin ecosystems, complete with student-created signage. The vision also includes a porous, synthetic turf soccer field with an underground cistern beneath it to further manage rainwater where it falls. The plan manages approximately 200,555 gallons of stormwater per rain event.

Learn About the Plan

BEFORE Redevelopment

Perspective Drawing showing outdoor learning spaces, bioswales with native WI plantings, trees, art installations, pathways, pickleball courts, new play structures, and other recreational features

Conceptual Design Plan

Perspective Drawing showing trees, an outdoor classroom, traffic garden, pathways, trees, and green spaces.

Perspective Drawing showing nature play, bioswales with native WI plants, basketball, pathways, and seating areas

Green Team Documents & Resources

Conceptual plan drawings
Meeting Minutes
Project Folder

Cass Street School
1647 N Cass St.
Milwaukee, WI 53202

CONTACT INFORMATION

Tyrone Nichols
Principal
Cass Street School
nicholte@milwaukee.k12.wi.us

Brianne Marcum
Assistant Principal
Cass Street School
stankubl@milwaukee.k12.wi.us

Lisa Neeb
Green & Healthy Schools Program Manager
Reflo - Sustainable Water Solutions
lisa.neeb@RefloH2o.com

“Throughout my time here, one dream has stayed close to my heart: to create a playground filled with lush green space and shade trees for our students. Thanks to the Schoolyard Redevelopment Project, that dream is becoming a reality! Whenever students, parents, and community members see the pictures of the new playground in my office, their faces light up with joy. This is more than just a playground—it’s a vibrant, welcoming space where our students will thrive, learn, and create memories for years to come!”
- Tyrone Nichols – Principal