A beautiful new street soccer court in the Second Ward is a shining example of community-focused projects that will be here after the World Cup hype leaves Houston.
The city is a little over two weeks away from the FIFA World Cup kick off.For many, it has felt like the city is scrambling to complete all the projects to prepare for visitors from around the world —improvements the city only prioritized for the worldwide event But improvements are still improvements, and the Main Street Promenade and incredibly cool futbolito court in Second Ward will be here long after the final ball is kicked.
The court, and beautifully-rendered art piece, is located at 100 Roberts St., fewer than two blocks from the legendary Houston burger joint Champ Burger. The court itself has goals, small bleachers and benches, perfectly constructed for some pickup soccer in the heart of the Second Ward.
Visiting the court just a few days after the opening already showed the need, with pickup soccer players and families there to experience it firsthand. Players told Chron there are “no courts like it” in Houston, and after seeing it on social media, they had to check it out for themselves.
None of Houston’s pick-up soccer courts are as visually striking as this one, which will hopefully be a special spot for the community in the Second Ward for years to come. And that’s the goal, according to Precinct 2 Senior Director of Operations Tiffany Harding.
“This court is a place where neighbors become friends, families create memories and our community grows stronger through connection and teamwork,” Harding told Chron.
In his speech at the court’s ribbon-cutting ceremony, Harris County Precinct 2 Commissioner Adrian Garcia remarked how the court was a much-needed fixture in the community. Garcia noted that more importantly than the World Cup, the mural and court are for the community to make use of.
“Many flags, a lot of pride, people from many walks of life. This is what this art represents. It represents the world, and that the world will have an opportunity to be expressed, not from the FIFA events, but rather from the community,” Garcia said.
The court used land that was vacant, turning it into something revitalizing. The commissioner also noted that the court features solar lighting to illuminate the court at night and will eventually be fully fenced in.