A vacant area near Hart Magnet Elementary School in downtown Stamford will be transformed into an outdoor learning space thanks to a new state grant.

State Rep. Tina Courpas, who represents Stamford and Greenwich in the 149th District, announced Tuesday, July 21, that the Mill River Park Collaborative received $48,000 in state funding to create a Pollinator Outdoor Classroom next to the school at 61 Adams Ave.

The project will turn unused land into a pollinator habitat filled with native plants, while creating an outdoor classroom where students can learn about ecosystems, gardening and environmental science.

The initiative is a partnership between the Mill River Park Collaborative, the nonprofit that manages Stamford's 30-acre downtown park, and Hart Magnet Elementary, a STEAM-focused school that incorporates science, technology, engineering, arts and math into its curriculum.

Courpas, a first-term Republican who took office in January 2025, shared the announcement on social media, noting that the grant will support the collaborative's efforts to expand hands-on environmental education opportunities for local students.

The award was part of a state funding round supporting 15 urban green space and community garden projects across New York and Connecticut, according to Patch.

Officials have not yet announced a construction schedule or when students and residents will be able to use the new outdoor classroom. The project is expected to add another educational and environmental resource to Stamford's downtown area, connecting the school community with the nearby Mill River Park.