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Weidenpesch gets its football field back – a win for the youth!
The football field in Weidenpesch, closed since 2020, is being modernized. Youth club calls for reopening for the neighborhood.
Weidenpesch gets its football field back – a win for the youth!
Something is finally happening again in Weidenpesch! The football field, which has been closed since spring 2020 due to poor conditions, is about to reopen. The young people from the nearby youth club “Dachlow” sorely missed the place and complained about the long waiting time. Before the lockdown, the condition of the playground became increasingly dangerous due to protruding roots, forcing many to take to the streets to play their football games.
As the Review online reported, those responsible have now reacted. In June 2022, an ideas workshop for the redesign of the square was held, at which the return of a football field was expressed as the main concern. The Nippes district council then unanimously decided to redevelop the square, which would entail an investment of 322,800 euros.
New football field – new opportunities
The new football field will bring with it some improvements. Instead of old asphalt, there will be artificial turf in the future, and the pitch will be 20 cm higher to optimize the playing surface. To ensure safe use, new soccer goals with noise-damped nets as well as several new benches and stools are also planned. In order to protect the surrounding trees, the playing area will be reduced from 650 to 325 square meters.
Another plus point: A noise-dampened ball catch fence will be built to protect the adjacent residential development. This is part of the comprehensive strategy to involve not only young people but also residents and to make the neighborhood a harmonious place. The district has taken clear measures to this end, which include a holistic redesign of the square.
Focus on youth participation
The importance of youth participation in such projects should not be underestimated. Again Federal Institute for Building, Urban and Spatial Research emphasizes, it is essential to actively involve young people in urban development. Their opinions are often not sufficiently taken into account in the planning process, which can lead to unsatisfactory results. Innovative approaches, such as those tested in Cologne, are therefore of great importance. The young people should not only listen, but also actively participate and help shape what is happening in their environment.
The upcoming reopening of the football field in Weidenpesch is not only a return of the playing area, but also a step towards more participation by young people in their surroundings. Clear signals have been sent that the voice of the young generation is being heard and taken seriously. For many, this place will become a new meeting place, and that is reason enough to be excited.