Adopt-a-Spot:
The Train Station Transformation
NEIRAD enilno edition
Black, white, gray, the common array of colors that dully align the industrial scenery of the Darien Train Station. The variety of life and character this setting embodies is extremely minimalist compared to the beautiful gardens that many see driving, walking, running on the streets of Darien. The tall weeds that line the train station have not gone unnoticed by a group of people who have taken the beautification of the Darien Train Station into their own hands.
Junior Rahul Datta has decided to organize a project in which the Community Council will be “adopting a spot,” at the Darien Train station, this “spot” is more accurately referred to as “The Berm.” Datta added that the goal of this project is merely to, “keep the area clean with weeding and planting.” Senior and Volunteer Coordinator McKinley Stauffer was able to give Neirad further insight on the motive that pushed this unique project to flourish. “The Community Council started the process in an effort to have a bigger presence in community-wide affairs. I have reached out to the Garden Club and Eco Citizens Club in order to get more students to participate in this Community Council event.” Stauffer explains that the wide range of students that will be able to make this event successful will be a way of showing the community that Community Council cares.
The Beautification Committee of Darien is working alongside the Community Council to insure that the process is carried out in the most beneficial manner. Head of this Committee, Suzanne Schutte was able to provide background information pertaining to the history of the committee. “The Beautification Commission (BC) was formed over a decade ago when a group of Darienites (sic.) recommended that the town sponsor a commission whose mission was maintaining and improving the overall physical appearance of Darien. In the past several years, as ecological activities and trends have become more active, the Commission has realized that our charter needed to be expanded to include more eco-friendly activities, such as river cleanups, town clean ups, etc. The berm renovation at the Darien train station is part of that effort.” Schutte explains that the Committee launched the “Adopt a Garden,” program to offer local merchants the opportunity to sponsor locations around Darien that were undergoing the beautification process.
As for the Darien Train Station, senior McKinley Stauffer referred to it as a spot that was infested with weeds and overgrown plants that took away from its true beauty.
Senior and Community Council member Nicole Gutierrez described the thought behind why exactly this spot was chosen for the beautification project and the future of this development. “The berm" was the most manageable and realistic location because of the fact that it is sizably manageable, in close proximity to DHS, and is seen by many people each day.”
On May 21st the Community Council along with other volunteers from the student body gathered together and started weeding the spot. Gutierrez added, “We were pretty pleased with the turn out on our first day of working on the spot, and hope to continue this volunteering into next year.” Stauffer expresses that the team still has a lot of work to do but by October there will be beautiful bulbs planted to add a little color to the bland surroundings of the station.
Next time you’re picking up your parent at the train station or grabbing a cup of coffee at Dunkin Donuts be sure to take a quick glance at a display that will most likely catch your eye first.
