Revitalizing Oakland Schools | Eat. Learn. Play. Partnership
Building the next generation of playgrounds for Oakland’s youth.
TL;DR: Transforming Oakland Schoolyards
As the official construction partner for Stephen Curry’s Eat. Learn. Play. Foundation, Court Builders Northern California is on a mission to reimagine recess. We are replacing dangerous, aging asphalt across the Oakland Unified School District with safe, high-performance Sport Court® modular surfaces. To date, we have revitalized over 23 campuses, giving thousands of students a vibrant, dignified space to play and grow.
Creating Spaces Where Kids Can Thrive
Every child deserves a safe place to play. Yet, for thousands of students in the Oakland Unified School District (OUSD), "recess" often meant playing on cracked, unforgiving asphalt.
Court Builders Northern California is proud to serve as the official court construction partner for Stephen and Ayesha Curry’s Eat. Learn. Play. Foundation. Working alongside Under Armour, KABOOM!, and OUSD, we are on a mission to completely reimagine schoolyards across The Town.
By replacing dangerous asphalt with high-performance Sport Court® surfaces, we aren’t just building basketball courts—we are building community hubs where kids can thrive, compete, and just be kids.
The Schoolyard Transformation Mission
The goal is ambitious: transform all public elementary schoolyards in Oakland into active, nature-rich spaces.
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The Problem: Aging infrastructure, poor drainage, and hard asphalt surfaces that lead to scrapes and injuries.
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The Solution: We install custom-engineered modular flooring that provides shock absorption, vibrant colors, and designated zones for basketball, soccer, and foursquare.
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The Result: A 100% increase in student activity and a safe, inspiring environment that signals to these students that they are valued.
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"These spaces are more than just courts–they are platforms for youth development, giving children the chance to build valuable life skills, on and off the court."
Featured School Transformations
Our team has managed the demolition, grading, and installation for over two dozen campuses. Some of our flagship transformations include:
1. Franklin Elementary The project that started it all. We turned a gray lot into a massive, multi-colored play space featuring custom Warriors branding and safe play zones.
2. Manzanita Community School Home of the Curry Brand "Feel Good Flow" Court. This installation features custom backboard art by local artist Allison "Hueman" Torneros, blending elite performance with street art culture.
3. Global Family Elementary A vibrant overhaul that integrated multi-sport courts with new garden beds and nature exploration areas, proving that a schoolyard can be both an athletic center and a classroom.
Other Notable Projects:
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Lockwood STEAM Academy
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Fruitvale Elementary
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Westlake Middle School
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Roosevelt Middle School
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Impact by the Numbers
Since the partnership began, our crews have been hard at work transforming the landscape of Oakland education:
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23+ Schoolyards Completed (and counting)
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10,000+ Students served annually
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16 Million+ Projected hours of active play created
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15+ Years of durability provided by our Sport Court® surfaces
Why "Sport Court" for Schools?
Schools choose Court Builders Northern California because our surfaces are engineered for the reality of recess:
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Safety First: Our PowerGame™ tiles provide vertical shock absorption, reducing the risk of head injuries and fractures from falls.
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Low Maintenance: Unlike asphalt that cracks or paint that peels, our surfaces are UV-stable and require little more than a leaf blower to maintain.
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All-Weather Play: The self-draining grid design means the court is dry and playable minutes after a rainstorm—essential for Bay Area winters.
Featured Projects
Our Work Speaks For Itself.
Why We Are Northern California's Top Rated Court Builder
| Feature | Court Builders Northern California | General Contractors |
| Certification | ASBA Certified Court Builder (Only one in region) | None |
| License | Class A General Engineering | Usually Class B or C |
| Preferred Foundation | Engineered Structural Concrete or Post-Tension Concrete (Structural Warranty) | Asphalt or Standard Concrete |
| Specialization | 100% Sports Construction | Driveways, Patios, Landscaping, General |
Areas We Serve
San Francisco Bay Area: Atherton, Hillsborough, Los Altos Hills, Palo Alto, Saratoga, Danville, Walnut Creek, Orinda, Alamo, Pleasanton, Marin, San Rafael, Mill Valley
Wine Country: Napa, Sonoma, Healdsburg, Santa Rosa, Kenwood, Geyserville, Sebastopol, Petaluma
Central Valley & Nevada: Davis, Sacramento, El Dorado Hills, Granite Bay, Fresno, Tahoe, Reno, Sparks
Central Coast: Carmel, Carmel Valley, Monterey, Santa Cruz
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Q: Who builds the courts for the Eat. Learn. Play. Foundation?
A: Court Builders Northern California is a primary construction partner, handling the installation of the high-performance Sport Court® surfaces found in these schoolyards.
Q: How many schools have been renovated in Oakland?
A: As of 2026, the partnership has successfully remodeled over 23 schoolyards, with a goal to reach 25 elementary schools by the end of the year.
Q: What kind of surface is used on the playgrounds?
A: We use Sport Court® Modular Safety Tiles. These interlocking tiles float over the existing base to provide cushion, traction, and superior durability compared to traditional asphalt or concrete.
What Our Customers Say About Us:
