Welcome to the Children’s Play Space at

Waller’s Coffee Shop

Picture an oasis in the heart of Decatur. Trees arching overhead covering the skyline, creating a canopy of cool shade. The birds are singing, chirping, and flitting from branch to branch. A creek runs peacefully by. Nature is inviting you into this sanctuary. But this beautiful place is not a garden, and it’s not a park. It is The Outer Space at Waller’s Coffee Shop.

You might think this space cannot get any better, but it can all thanks to Compassionate Atlanta! Compassionate Atlanta (CA) has just completed a conversion of part of the outdoor space.

CA has designed an outside space for the children who come to Waller’s. It now includes an area where the little ones can play with toys, create imaginary meals in the wooden play kitchen, or even read a book from the Little Free Library. And the space is enclosed with a cheerful wall of colorfully painted repurposed tires. Now the kids will be able to play outside while the adults have a coffee and relax nearby.

And that’s not all! There is now a wheelchair accessible pathway into the Outer Space where patrons who use a wheelchair or other mobility device can get into and enjoy this beautiful area. Making this area accessible for wheelchairs and strollers means everyone can be included and enjoy this space.

This project is the brainchild of CA, but a very special person actually did the work to bring the space to life. Ella Seigelman created this children’s area for her Eagle Scout Project.

Ella is only 15 years old and yet has undertaken this huge project. She got into scouting because her father, grandfather, and uncles were all scouts. Now that scouting is no longer restricted to males only, Ella has the opportunity to pursue all that scouting has to offer. There are many things she loves about scouting. Ella says that through scouting she has learned about “First aid, wilderness survival, lifeguarding, STEM history, and much much more.” Ella shares that scouting has allowed her to “interact with a diverse group of people and make friends from all around the world.”  

Several years ago Ella realized she wanted to work toward  achieving the rank of Eagle Scout even though she has only ever met one female Eagle Scout before. Inspired by this young woman, Ella says she became “determined and eager to gather and learn as much as possible from what scouting offers.” 

Completing this project at Waller’s has taken countless hours across several months. Not only has Ella put in her muscle and sweat, but she has also recruited volunteers, delegated assignments, and saw the project to completion. Ella reflects on what completing her Eagle Scout project means to her: “I will be able to hold my head high and feel the pride swell in my heart knowing that I succeeded in a task that even most adults would not have been able to put together or complete.” And she is right about that. “Completing this project will give me a strong but humble confidence that I can complete almost any task thrown my way,” Ella states.

Ella’s family, friends, and other volunteers, including some Waller’s patrons, have helped her with this enormous task. So this children’s area is really a community effort, and Ella was just the right person to make it happen. 

In addition to Ella’s vision and leadership, many others made amazing contributions to the completion of this part of Waller’s Outer Space. Compassionate Atlanta is so grateful for all the good folks who gave of themselves, their time, and their energy to make this space come alive.

Shoutouts go to: 

Heather Elson, artist and founder of No More Liddering, for making the beautiful butterfly which is made entirely of recycled plastic bottle caps.

Decatur Makers for designing,building, and donating the wooden play kitchen.

Decatur Education Foundation for donating theLittle Free Library.

Nancy Byrd, artist and CA board member, for making the sensory wall and for working with the Atlanta Women’s Club to create the positivity signs throughout the space. 

Former Dekalb County Commissioner Steve Bradshaw and the Atlanta Women’s Club for providing grants that funded this amazing project. 

And the biggest shoutout goes to Jason Waller himself for being so generous, so patient, and so supportive. You are such a valuable part of the Decatur community.

Compassionate Atlanta sincerely says thank you to all these wonderful people and organizations who made this project possible. You have helped create a space where so many will find a peaceful place to belong, where they will feel part of a supportive, inclusive community.

The grand opening of the outdoor play space was on Sunday, September 21, 2025 when Waller’s hosted “Peace Pop-Up,” a celebration of the International Day of Peace. The International Day of Peace is an initiative sponsored by the United Nations to focus on taking action to support nonviolence, human rights, and environmental justice. At Waller’s, several grassroots organizations came together to uplift the message of peace. Through music, dance, and inspiring words, presenters encouraged all of us to put peace first.

So come on over to Waller’s. Whether you live in Decatur or not, come hang out in the Outer Space at Waller’s.

Enjoy a tasty beverage while you listen to the birds, watch the kids play, visit with friends, read a book, sneak in some work, and maybe even enjoy a concert!  Whatever lets you be you, come join the community. – Jimmy Freels

The Children’s Play Space at Waller’s Coffee Shop is an initiative of Compassionate Atlanta’s Compassion in Place Making.