West End Kids riding MARTA
What seemed to be regular, Wednesday afternoon practice for the West End United players turned into a big surprise and an exciting field trip. These players were a part of the first-ever design session for a soon-to-be-delivered decommissioned MARTA rail car. This rail car is special since it will be placed at the StationSoccer West End location and become a learning center.
The players, along with Coach Joel Apudo and their parents, scurried to the MARTA platform following practice to ride MARTA to the ATL City Design Studio in Downtown Atlanta. Once there, the kids were escorted to tables around the room scattered with colored pencils and drawing accessories. As the presentation began, the kids were told they were going to help design their own decommissioned MARTA rail car.
Many gasps were heard and thoughts started running through their creative minds as they envisioned what their railcar could look like!
“This is so exciting!” said Taniyah, an 11-year-old West End United player. “This will be my second home in the West End and being able to put my own design on it makes me so happy.”
As the session continued, colorful railcars came to life right before their eyes. All the kids were laughing and showing their teammates what they had designed, even naming their creations as well.
Taniyah showing her creative design on the railcar wrap
“I think I want to name it The West End Warrior,” said Taniyah. “It stands for something strong and that’s our mascot. It could be our own mascot!”
With passion and creativity bubbling, you could feel what the kids now call a second homecoming to life with just colored pencils. Imagine what the final product will be as the design team incorporates everyone’s ideas into one.
As a mother of two of the West End United players, Janine, sees the future of this learning center becoming something monumental in the community.
“The new railcar learning center would create a different space where I can interact with my children in an informal yet educational manner,” said Janine. “With everyday schedules and routines possibly becoming mundane, the learning center will allow children to be open to new learning experiences. My children believe the center will help enhance their knowledge of soccer and teach them life lessons.”
The ATL City Design team has been working closely with the Soccer in the Streets team over the last year, by helping execute the best learning and activity center for the West End community.
The City Design Interim Assistant Director, Vanessa Lira led the kids in activities on that special evening. She and her team are grateful for the project.
City Design Studio Team
“The work of the studio focuses on designing, building, and activating vibrant public spaces and we believe Station Soccer sites do just that”, said Lira. “These sites leverage underutilized land that is highly accessible to connect and empower communities.”
Though this project means a great deal to the design team, it means, even more, to see the kid’s eyes light up when they were asked for their ideas.
“We’re excited to work with the kids on the design since they will be the ones using it every day”, Lira said. “Involving the community and end-users in the design process is key to a successful public space. Kids are very creative and are not bound by conventional ideas like adults, so the feedback we get is inspiring and unique.”
This special project is important to the community of the West End and Soccer In the Streets will be a place for the West End community to gather and the kids to use as a safe place to make their second home.
