Schoolyard upgrades to reduce youth violence in NYC
Official title: Evaluating the Schoolyards to Playgrounds Intervention on Community Violence Among Youth and Young Adults in New York City
Funded at Yale University · NIH-11582514 · Data updated 2026-11-12
A project in New York City tests whether turning schoolyards into safer, more inviting places to play after school and on weekends lowers violent incidents among kids and young adults aged 10–24.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Yale University NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (New Haven, United States) |
| Project start | September 30, 2026 |
| Project end | September 29, 2029 |
| Funding year | 2027 |
| Award (this year) | $399,305 |
| NIH project number | 1R01CE003869-01 |
| Project ID | NIH-11582514 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Youth and young adults aged 10–24 in New York City who live near or use schoolyards.
✕Less likely to help
Communities without upgraded schoolyards may see little or no change in violence levels.
What this research studies
This project will study how upgrading schoolyards to more welcoming, open spaces with equipment and shade affects community violence in urban areas. Researchers will use real-world data from NYC schoolyards upgraded since 2007 and compare areas with and without upgrades over time. They will use mixed methods, including numbers on violence and qualitative insights from community members, to understand what works best. The goal is to determine if better play spaces can reduce violence during high-risk after-school hours.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, the findings could guide cities on using playground improvements to reduce youth violence and create safer after-school environments.
How similar studies have gone: Some evidence suggests place-based upgrades can influence community safety, but results are still evolving for youth violence.
Where this research is happening
-
Yale University
New Haven, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Morrison, Christopher Neil — Yale University
- Study coordinator: Morrison, Christopher Neil
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About this research
- This is an active NIH-funded research project — typically early-stage science, not a clinical trial accepting patient enrollment.
- Some NIH-funded labs run parallel clinical studies or seek volunteers for related work. To check, contact the principal investigator or institution listed above.
- For full project details, budget, and progress reports, visit the official NIH RePORTER page.