Kepler Neighborhood School is turning a dirt lot into an outdoor recreation space for students in Downtown Fresno.
The tuition-free TK-8 charter school celebrated the groundbreaking of its $1.7 million play yard on Nov. 10, marking a milestone for a project that has been in development since 2023.
Superintendent Rickie Dhillon said the project will provide students with a safe space to play, socialize and create memories.
“We’ve been working on this since 2023, and seeing this coming together after so many years and countless meetings and planning, it’s something special,” Dhillon said.
The play yard, which Dhillon said is expected to be completed in three to four months, will provide outdoor recreation opportunities in a part of Fresno where green space is limited.
Dhillon said the investment is particularly important for a school in Downtown Fresno, where access to outdoor play areas is limited.
The project received a major boost from CalViva Health, which presented Kepler with a $100,000 donation during the ceremony.
Courtney Shapiro, CalViva Health’s director of community relations and marketing, said the partnership began after she connected with Dhillon at Rotary Club meetings.
Shapiro said she recognized the need for an improved outdoor recreation area after touring the school.
“At CalViva, we recognize that healthy communities need more than access to healthcare,” Shapiro said. “They need safe places for children to be active, connect with nature, build friendships, and simply be kids.”
Fresno Mayor Jerry Dyer also attended the ceremony, highlighting Kepler’s role in revitalizing Downtown Fresno, a longtime priority of his administration.
Dyer said the school brings families and activity to the area, contributing to the vibrancy city leaders hope to foster through housing developments and additional green spaces.
“Kepler is more than a school; it’s more than a building, and it’s more than a playground,” Dyer said. “It is an investment in families.”
