What happens when a park system and a 16-mile light rail line intersect? Can transit-access facilities like rail station parking slot be repurposed for greenspace, play and development? The Purple Line in Montgomery County, MD and MARTA rail stations in Atlanta offer stories of win-wins for parks, recreation and transit.
Montgomery Parks, a large park system located just outside Washington, D.C., has 415 parks spanning Montgomery County. About half a dozen were going to be impacted by the construction of this new light rail. To address potential negative impacts, a series of public meetings were held, boosted with a healthy dose of political support. This resulted in Mandatory Referral, which allowed Montgomery Parks to negotiate a series of mitigation projects. They resulted in a dedicated parcel of land to become a new civic green, widened sidewalks, a new fish passage (that was blocked for 50 years), a signature bridge, and numerous stormwater management improvements.
The robust collaboration between Montgomery Parks and The Purple Line provides a host of benefits for the communities impacted, fostering inclusive growth. A sampling of benefits includes community connectors, public art at metro stations, tree plantings, improved water quality and public access, and a brand new park. The new light rail line (to be completed in 2027) will have 21 stations where communities can grow and promote public transportation while enjoying significant park improvements. The opportunity to provide public transportation, close to parks and natural resources, is a benefit for all.
StationSoccer is a city-wide community project built around a vision to create a network of mini soccer fields and more, anchored by MARTA transit stations in Atlanta. Affordability and transportation hurdles mean many kids in metro Atlanta area do not have access to safe places to play soccer nor the resources required to travel. Soccer in the Streets and its partners are closing those gaps by building and programming fields in and around MARTA transit stations. The goal is to build “A League of Stations” whereby kids and adults can represent their own station community and play other station teams by using the public transit system.
