2024 was a busy year at ABLE! After a little wintertime rest, we’re taking a look back to celebrate our achievements, appreciate our many collaborators and partners, and reflect on the exciting work that’s carrying us into 2025.

At the Annual Awards Ceremony for Washington ASLA, ABLE was awarded the Honor Award in Analysis and Planning for the Oregon Rural Community Schoolyards program.

Ashley Ludwig presented as part of two educational sessions for the 2023 ASLA Conference in Minneapolis in October.

TPL is excited to be partnering with the EPA on two important projects in Madras, Oregon and Tacoma, Washington focused on transforming outdated schoolyards into vibrant green spaces that address disparities in access to nature, reflect local cultures, create opportunities for physical activity, improve mental health, strengthen climate resiliency, and build local capacity for future community projects.

In the first round of engagement, ABLE and Seattle Parks hosted activities at three community events to talk with people about the beloved Genesee Park play area in need of a refresh.

Timothy A. Schuler writes in the April 2023 issue of Landscape Architecture Magazine about the Chiloquin project: “prioritizing health and safety helps focus resources and design skills on rural schoolyards.”

The Trust for Public Land and ABLE presented the Madras Community Schoolyard concept to the Jefferson County 509-J School District Board.

“I want to thank the generous way that you all have honored the Klamath Tribes, with our language on this new facility, the plants, the traditional plants.”

Building on the success of partnering with the community of Chiloquin to transform the Chiloquin Elementary Schoolyard, the Trust for Public Land has launched the Oregon Rural Community Schoolyards program with Willamette Partnership as community coordination and ABLE as landscape architects.