In the 2025/26 academic year, a program will launch in the Madrid region allowing nearly 300 public schools in 84 municipalities to open their playgrounds and libraries for free evening access. This initiative is designed to provide additional opportunities for children’s recreation and education, as well as to support families who need a safe space for activities and relaxation after school.
Under the ‘Open Playgrounds’ (Patios Abiertos) program, school sports fields and reading rooms will be accessible not only to students but also to other children living in the same localities. Admission will be free, with order and safety monitored by specially hired staff, whom municipalities can employ using regional subsidies.
Authorities emphasize that the project is intended for school-age children, and entry and exit will be supervised. Each municipality will determine the periods and hours during which school facilities will be open, based on the characteristics of each school and the needs of the local community.
The program complements existing measures to keep schools open on non-instructional days and to organize additional classes. It applies to state primary and secondary schools, as well as combined rural education centers. The total budget allocated for these initiatives amounts to 4.8 million euros, which, according to several experts and municipal representatives, is insufficient to fully cover all schools in need and to ensure high-quality services.
Despite positive feedback from many parents and educators, who highlight the importance of accessible public spaces for children’s development and combating social isolation, the program has also faced criticism. In particular, only 84 out of the region’s 179 municipalities have joined the project. Opposition and union representatives point to inadequate funding and the fact that the main financial burden falls on local authorities, which has led many cities to decline participation in the initiative.
Educators and community organizations believe that opening schoolyards and libraries could be an important step in combating child poverty and inequality, as well as increasing socialization and physical activity among young people. However, they emphasize that sustainable development of the program requires additional investment and broader participation from municipalities.
In some schools in Madrid, the project is already underway: children can participate in sports, attend first aid classes, learn about nutrition, and develop healthy lifestyle habits. Parents note that such measures have long been in demand and could significantly ease families’ daily lives, especially in areas with limited access to public spaces.
Funding remains a key issue: the funds allocated for the 2025/26 school year are even lower than in the previous period. This raises concerns that not all schools will be able to provide the necessary level of safety and a diverse range of activities. Union representatives and parent associations are calling on regional authorities to increase support and make the program accessible to more municipalities.
Thus, the initiative to open schoolyards and libraries in Madrid has drawn both support and criticism. Its further development will depend on the willingness of authorities to invest in infrastructure and expand municipal participation, in order to create more opportunities for education, sports, and social interaction for children and families.
