Public planting event on October 30th aims to protect the schoolyard from heat
More greenery, less paved surface, and better heat protection: New planting areas are planned for the schoolyard of the Friedrich-Ebert-School in the Heimstättensiedlung district of Darmstadt. The City of Darmstadt invites students, parents, teachers, and local residents to participate in a public greening event on Friday, October 30, 2026, starting at 1 p.m.
Together with BUND Darmstadt, three tree beds and a perennial and shrub bed will be planted. This initiative also marks the start of further heat protection measures at schools and daycare centers in Darmstadt.
Approximately 60 square meters of schoolyard area will be de-sealed
Before the volunteers begin planting, a specialist company, commissioned by the city's Office for Climate Protection and Climate Adaptation, will unseal approximately 60 square meters of the existing schoolyard area.
The newly created areas will then be planted with trees and other vegetation to provide more greenery on the school grounds.
In addition, small habitats for animals and insects will be created. These include insect-friendly deadwood and a pile of stones that can provide shelter for various small animals.
A supporting program is offered for children during the planting event.
Greenery is intended to lower temperatures in the schoolyard
The redesign pursues several goals. Green schoolyards can contribute to more pleasant temperatures, especially on hot summer days.
Trees and other plants provide shade and additional cooling through evaporation. At the same time, unsealed surfaces can absorb rainwater more effectively. This is particularly important during heavy rainfall events.
Furthermore, a greener learning environment is created for the students, in which they can directly experience plants and urban nature.
Environmental officer Michael Kolmer sees the action as the beginning of a longer-term project: "The greening of the schoolyard at the Friedrich-Ebert-School marks the start of further measures for heat protection in schools and daycare centers in the coming years."
A green schoolyard also serves as an additional learning space. Kolmer therefore hopes for strong participation in the joint planting campaign.
Students design their schoolyard with
School superintendent Holger Klötzner also emphasizes the educational benefits. If children participate in planting their schoolyard, they can take responsibility for their immediate surroundings.
“The project at the Friedrich-Ebert-School shows how learning environment and living space are growing together,” explains Klötzner.
City treasurer André Schellenberg emphasizes that climate adaptation must become an integral part of school maintenance in the future. The removal of impervious surfaces demonstrates how improvements to everyday school life can be achieved with manageable resources.
Darmstadt came in second in the "paving" competition
The greening campaign is taking place just before the end of the nationwide "remove paving" competition. This competition runs until October 31, 2026, and aims to help convert sealed surfaces back into green spaces.
According to the city, Darmstadt currently ranks second among major cities. There are 286 paved stones removed per 1,000 inhabitants.
The redesign of the schoolyard at the Friedrich-Ebert-School thus fits into the city's efforts to reduce sealed surfaces and better adapt the city to the consequences of climate change.
Further information about the competition can be found at www.darmstadt.de/abpflastern.
The most important data
Event: Public greening campaign in the schoolyard of the Friedrich-Ebert-School
Date: Friday, October 30, 2026
Start: 1 p.m.
Location: Friedrich-Ebert-School, Darmstadt-Heimstättensiedlung
Participation: Students, parents, teachers and local residents are invited.
Planned measures: unsealing of approximately 60 square meters of schoolyard area, planting of three tree beds and one perennial and shrub bed
Further design features: Insect-friendly deadwood and piles of field stones
For children: Accompanying program
Supported by: BUND Darmstadt e. V.
(DARMSTADT – RED/stip)
