By Gregg McQueen
Kids held a pickup game on the new pitch in J. Hood Wright Park.
These kicks are for kids.
Young uptown soccer enthusiasts rejoiced this week as a miniature soccer pitch was unveiled in J. Hood Wright Park in Washington Heights.
New York City Football Club (NYCFC) held a ribbon-cutting on Monday to debut the new playing surface, which is part of a citywide initiative to build 50 mini-pitches in five years.
Known as the New York City Soccer Initiative, the public-private partnership involves NYC Parks, the Mayor’s Fund to Advance New York City, the U.S. Soccer Foundation, Adidas and Etihad Airways, along with NYCFC.
Students from Dos Puentes Elementary School attended the ribbon-cutting and were able to play pick-up games on the new surface.
“We really are excited about seeing the sport grow, and it starts here at these fields, these pitches,” said Brandi Daniels, Program Administrator of Community Relations for NYCFC. “It starts with the kids, and it starts with the free play and the creativity.”
The pitch is open to the general public, and features two goals that will stay in place, Daniels said.The Dos Puentes students are participants in an afterschool program run by America Scores, which hosts soccer, poetry, and service learning activities at public schools.
Chloe Wheeler, Soccer Program Manager at America Scores, said kids from the program at nearby schools will have access to the soccer pitch for recreation.
Read more: Soccer site opened in J. Hood Wright Park | Manhattan Times
Related: Park Portfolio – J Hood Wright Park
Dos Puentes students joined in the fun.
Diego Quintuna helps cut the ribbon.
Read more: Soccer site opened in J. Hood Wright Park | Manhattan Times
Related: Park Portfolio – J Hood Wright Park
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