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Dallas Park and Recreation Department, Target, and U.S. Soccer Foundation Unveil New Mini-Pitch in Dallas to Provide Youth With a Safe Place to Play

Dallas, TX – Dallas Park and Recreation Department, Target, and the U.S. Soccer Foundation unveiled a new soccer mini-pitch at Lake Cliff Park on Saturday. This mini-pitch, one of five to have recently come to Dallas, marks the latest play space to be completed as a part of a Target and U.S. Soccer Foundation partnership to build 100 mini-pitches nationwide by 2020. To date, the two organizations have also created mini-pitches in Atlanta, Chicago, Houston, Miami, Orlando, Phoenix, and Tampa through the partnership, with more to come to the Bay Area, Washington, D.C., and Philadelphia later this year.

“Dallas Park and Recreation is honored to be a part of a nationwide initiative that is positive affirmation in the lives of Dallas youth,” said Oscar Carmona, Assistant Director of Park Operations. “We are expanding recreational opportunities for youth by taking underused courts and transforming them for soccer. Mini-pitches like the ones that have come to Dallas ensure that Dallas Park and Recreation makes getting outdoors and keeping active accessible and safe for residents and park visitors.”

“The city of Dallas is home to a vibrant soccer community,” said U.S. Soccer Foundation President & CEO Ed Foster-Simeon. “We’re honored to partner with Dallas Park and Recreation Department and Target to bring the game to more children in Dallas, cultivating more soccer fans and allowing community members to reap the game’s many benefits.”

After the opening remarks, local youth and partners participated in an official ribbon cutting, followed by a “first kick” on the new pitch. Families and youth also had a chance to interact with local Target store volunteers throughout the event.

The mini-pitch marks the latest development in the Foundation’s It’s Everyone’s Game movement, which aims to build 1,000 safe places to play and reach one million participants in Soccer for Success programming by 2026. Target is a national partner in this effort.

ABOUT DALLAS PARK AND RECREATION DEPARTMENT

Dallas Park and Recreation Department is a nationally accredited park and recreation agency and is among the nation’s largest urban park systems. Its mission is to champion lifelong recreation and be responsible stewards of Dallas’ 24,000 acres of park land, lakes, and leisure facilities that include 397 parks, 162 miles of trails, athletic complexes, and natural areas. It also manages recreation centers, golf courses, family aquatic centers, tennis centers, and Bahama Beach Waterpark. Visit https://www.dallaspark.org/ for program and event information.

ABOUT THE U.S. SOCCER FOUNDATION

The U.S. Soccer Foundation’s programs are the national model for sports-based youth development in underserved communities. Since its founding in 1994, the Foundation has established programs proven to help children embrace an active and healthy lifestyle while nurturing their personal growth beyond sports. Its cost-effective, high-impact initiatives offer safe environments where kids and communities thrive. Headquartered in Washington, D.C., the U.S. Soccer Foundation is a 501(c)(3) organization. For more information, visit ussoccerfoundation.org or follow us on Twitter and Facebook.

MEDIA CONTACTS:

Dallas Park and Recreation Department
Andrea Hawkins
(214) 670-4678
andrea.hawkins@dallascityhall.com

U.S. Soccer Foundation
Jennifer Arnold
jarnold@ussoccerfoundation.org
202.872.6662