Soccer Sisters United, a youth girls program located in Germantown, is facing mixed opinions about their current game field in Vernon Park.
During a recent Friends of Vernon Park meeting, a few parents, players and coaches were in attendance voicing their opinion on the situation.
Head coach, Walter Stewart, emphasized how the girls feel safe in Vernon Park. “It’s a nice draw for families in Germantown,” he said. Stewart, along with the help of other parents and players, has put hundreds of hours into the upkeep of the field.
“I don’t think the program would survive,” said Stewart on the thought of having to move.
Yomi Awodesu, of Germantown Soccer Club, complained; saying that there are hardly any sports programs in Germantown for children.
Barbara McCabe of Parks and Recreation, noted how Vernon Park is one of the main green spaces in Germantown. McCabe says Parks and Recreation try to direct people to a facility that is intended for the specific activity and to one that is the most accommodating. She noted how Vernon Park is not a soccer field, it is a park.
Stewart adds that when the players leave it is no longer a soccer field. The nets are put away and it goes back to being a park. Soccer Sisters United does not use Vernon Park for games, it is just used as a practice field. The area being used is not up to regulation size.
“I don’t want to pull something out that’s a positive,” said McCabe. For now, Soccer Sisters will continue to use the space until the end of their permit.
Be the first to comment