McAllen ISD secures $2.7 million Texas A&M grant to build seven schoolyard forests; board asked to back remaining schools in bond

A partnership with Quinta Mazatlan and Texas A&M Forest Service will fund seven schoolyard forest projects across McAllen ISD, district officials said.

Colleen Hook (Quinta Mazatlan) told trustees the $2,700,000 grant funds design and construction for seven outdoor learning campuses that will include expanded nature trails, outdoor classrooms, reading nooks and increased tree canopy. "We were awarded the grant in April 2025 and we are on the construction bid and award phase," Hook said, adding that the district recently received approval from the McAllen City Commission to negotiate a contract with Southern Landscapes.

Landscape architect Andrew Hefner reviewed Phase 1 sites — Alvarez, Fields, Houston, Jackson, Roosevelt, Seguin and Wilson — and said the team expects crews to spend two to three months on each campus with an overall completion window of 12 to 18 months once contracts are executed. Hefner described design features such as amphitheater learning hills, tiny forests and integration with existing courtyard spaces.

Lorena Garcia, deputy superintendent for business and operations, said the project is fully funded for the seven campuses and that conceptual designs and cost estimates for the remaining 11 elementary schools have been prepared through a separate $50,000 grant. She asked the board to consider funding the balance through the district’s proposed bond to advance modernization, wellness, learning beyond the classroom and equity goals.

Phase 1 is reported to be under budget and on schedule; district staff said Phase 2 could be shovel‑ready in about 90 days if the board included it in a bond package.

The presentation was informational; no direct appropriation was voted at the meeting. Trustees expressed strong support and interest in bonding to complete all campuses.