A Bronx playground is back in business after a million dollar makeover that gives new meaning to the term "green space." NY1's Roger Clark filed this report.

A good old fashioned kickball game on brand new turf at Community School 300 in The Bronx. It's a far cry from what the schoolyard looked like when it was just asphalt.

"It actually is beautiful, better than before," said Andrew Cruz, Community School 300 student. "Because before it was just plain. There was nothing here."

Not anymore, after a more than a $1 million renovation, thanks to a partnership between The Trust for Public Land conservation group and the city, the new schoolyard features basketball hoops, a running track, play equipment, a gazebo and trees for shade.

"It's used by the school during the school day, but it's open to the public after school and on weekends, so it's a really great community resource as well as a nice schoolyard," said Mary Alice Lee, The Trust for Public Land, NYC Playgrounds Program Director.

It's a green schoolyard. The turf is designed like a sponge when the weather turns stormy, working with a rain garden and other plantings to keep rain water out of the sewer system and cut down on polluted overflows into local streams and rivers.

"We're able to capture storm water each time it rains, so that means that the water is going into the ground as opposed to into The Bronx River," said Lee.

Over the past three decades, the Trust for Public Land has completed 185 playground projects in the city. Each time students in the schools and the community help decide on the design.

"Certainly it's a space that all students of all ages can enjoy, as well as the families of the community as well," said Venessa Singleton, Community School 300 Principal.

This transformed space not only allows the kids to play a little kickball, but also to learn. They can leave the classroom, come out here, and get some important lessons about the environment.

"Our science teacher of course is incredibly excited, because she is like, do I get to go outside and do lessons with the kids on planting, and then have a gated area where they will be able to plant and grow things as well.," said Danielle Smith, Community School 300 Assistant Principal.

So there's no doubt, the turf isn't the only green part of this new play area.