In a city that has weathered floods and derechos, Cedar Rapids is turning to nature for resilience—starting with its youngest residents. The newly designated “Nature Everywhere Accelerator Community” will transform aging school playgrounds into green havens where children can climb, explore and simply be kids. For many local students, especially those in apartments or from immigrant families, these schoolyards represent their primary connection to the natural world. It’s more than just prettier playgrounds—it’s about nurturing development through something as fundamental as dirt under fingernails.
Olivia Cohen with the Cedar Rapids Gazette has the full story on an idea worth spreading.
