Campers from Arlington Parks, Recreation and Culture play soccer June 26 during a mini soccer pitch unveiling at George Stevens Park. The pitch was a gift from the North Texas FIFA World Cup Organizing Committee.
City leaders unveiled a new mini soccer pitch Friday at George Stevens Park, giving the neighborhood a new place to play soccer.
The field was donated by the North Texas FIFA World Cup Organizing Committee, with support from the host city sponsors, as part of FIFA’s World Cup Legacy Initiative. The program aims to leave host cities with projects that last beyond the final whistle, according to a city news release.
East Arlington already has some futsal courts, smaller soccer courts like the one unveiled, at Bob Cooke Park, said Gary Packan, director of Parks, Recreation and Culture for the City of Arlington.
The city landed on the George Stevens Park, one further north, to provide a unique experience at additional parks and spread out assets, Packan said.
The two-acre park has a playground and a basketball court. The pitch replaced an “old and tired” pavilion, giving the park a new look in hopes of drawing kids to soccer and bringing community members together, Packan said.
“There was not a lot of active play here,” he said.
The pitch is the most recent example of the lasting impact the North Texas FIFA World Cup Organizing Committee is leaving on Arlington post-World Cup.
In late May, the city unveiled a golden soccer cleat in the entertainment district.
Andy Swift, secretary for the organizing committee, said he learned how to play soccer on communal pitches like this one in Brazil and saw firsthand the type of positive impact it had on the community.
“This goes beyond soccer infrastructure,” Swift said. “This is really about community infrastructure.”
Packman said soccer saw a surge in American fans when the country hosted the World Cup in 1994.
With the United States hosting the tournament again, including Arlington hosting a tournament-high nine matches, Packan is expecting to see that same passion and said he wants the city to be ready for it so kids in Arlington can have an opportunity to learn to play soccer.
“We want to make sure that we’re providing those assets, so when kids show interest, we can support their interest and their direction, their growth,” Packan said. “Whatever it is, we’re here to help foster that energy.”
Enrique Luna, a staff member for the East Library and Recreation Center, attended the unveiling with youth campers from the center who took pictures and played on the field.
Luna praised the new space for giving kids a chance to play safely and cost-effectively. Luna said Arlington has options for playing soccer, but most of them require you to join a team or league and pay money.
“I was completely happy because having a certain place to play soccer is beautiful for kids, for the community, for people who need a place to play soccer,” he said.
The park is open and free for people to play games. Packan said the smaller court encourages work on foot skills, passing and close connectivity of the players to develop skills as a soccer player.
“If we change one kid’s life and help them be healthier, help their family be better, that’s success,” Packan said. “If we come out here and drive by and there’s three or four kids out here playing, that’s success.”
@diegocllazo