A few weeks ago, it was my good fortune to read an upcoming article by a freelance reporter for The Press on a project at Willow Lane Elementary School in Lower Macungie Township.

Marieke Andronache’s story on the Willow Lane Elementary Historical Trail will soon be informing readers of an enrichment project by fifth grade students to research, with the help of the Lower Macungie Township Historical Society, the history of the township in which the school stands.

The trail, located on the school campus, features informational plaques about important people, events and other interesting facts along its route.

Spoiler alert and teaser: the trail officially opened May 26.

The trail appears to be part of a trend, perhaps movement would be a better term, among young school students working to improve their learning environments for the betterment of their communities.

Students in Add B. Anderson School in West Philadelphia offer an exemplar.

A recent National Public Radio article told the story of third graders instrumental in the transformation of their school playground into a community park for their neighborhood.

The students did observational studies of how the playground was used by their schoolmates, factoring in such elements as where students played team games like dodgeball versus where they gathered to relax with a book or try dance steps culled from social media.

The students also talked to their teachers, their families and school neighbors about what they would like to see in the park.

The students also selected playground equipment to be installed in the space.

The new playground/community park now includes “a running track, a basketball court, picnic tables and lots of cheerful blue, new play equipment. Newly planted trees provide dappled shade. There are also two new rain gardens with colorful flowering plants. They’re not just for looks - the gardens also keep stormwater from polluting nearby Cobbs Creek and the Schuylkill River,” writes Maria Godoy, a senior editor/correspondent for NPR’s science desk.

There are grassy areas as well. Quite an upgrade from deteriorating concrete and asphalt.

Plus, the playground has become a hub of activity for the surrounding community.

After the school day ends, the area is open for activities such as picnics, walks and other outdoor exercise.

Godoy notes playground/schoolyard transformation projects are also expected in other areas including major cities such as New York City. Another school in Philadelphia recently broke ground on its schoolyard transformation project.

Perhaps a rewrite of the Aretha Franklin/Annie Lennox hit duet is warranted: “Kids Are Doing It For Themselves.”

April Peterson

editorial assistant

East Penn Press

Salisbury Press