Barrington Elementary School in North Austin will be the first Austin ISD school to open a specially designed outdoor learning environment known as a “Green School Park” on March 24, according to a news release from the Austin Parks and Recreation Department.

The school park, located at 400 Cooper Drive, will serve as an outdoor classroom, play area and recreational space for members of the community during out-of-school hours, according to the release.

The Green School Parks Initiative is districtwide collaboration with the city’s parks and recreation department to create outdoor learning spaces at 24 AISD schools in areas where access to parks is limited. The initiative is a subset of a broader, citywide program called the Austin Connecting Children to Nature Program.

The goal of these programs is to foster children’s connection with nature and increase physical activity, which correlates with improved mental and physical health as well as self-esteem, the release stated.

At 9 a.m. on March 24, Barrington Elementary School will host a public ribbon-cutting ceremony at the park with local leaders such as Mayor Steve Adler, District 4 City Council Member Greg Casar and AISD Superintendent Paul Cruz in attendance.

“The goal of placing a green park at Barrington Elementary is to give students, their families, and the residents of the Rundberg area a park that is open and ready to be enjoyed. Everyone in the community will be able to enjoy this park and help get connected with nature,” Dr. Ruben Pizarro, parent support specialist at Barrington Elementary School, stated in the release.

512-414-2008. www.austinisd.org/schools/barrington