City officials, county officials, members of the US Soccer Foundation, and the New York Red Bulls, unveiled two new mini soccer pitches on Tuesday Aug. 30.
The soccer play spaces are located under the 14th Street Viaduct between Adams and Jefferson streets.
“These soccer pitches are the latest new recreation facilities in our city and will support over 1,000 children in our soccer programs and our active adult community,” said Mayor Dawn Zimmer. “I thank the U.S. Soccer Foundation, New York Red Bulls, and Hudson County for their partnership on this project.”
The pitches will be open to the public for pickup games 8 a.m. to 10 p.m. every day, year-round on a first-come, first-serve basis according to Director of Environmental Services Leo Pellegrini.
The mini pitches join the relatively new dog run and basketball court under the Viaduct, a bridge to Union City that was renovated by the county last year.
The amenities may soon also be joined by a seasonal synthetic ice skating rink, according to Pellegrini, but plans have not been finalized.
The New York Red Bulls and U.S. Soccer Foundation donated the pitches to the town. According to Joseph Stetson, vice president of marketing and communications for the Red Bulls, the pitches are part of the New York Red Bulls’ and U.S. Soccer Foundation’s commitment to offer safe places to play in communities across the New York/New Jersey area to contribute to growth of the game in North America.
“We say that this is our mission, but we are actually doing it,” said Stetson. “We get to give back in a real way.”
“Many professional teams want support from their fans. They want them to buy tickets and come to games,” said Shep Messing, former professional goal keeper and Red Bulls Analyst for MSG Networks. “But not all teams realize that it’s a two-way street and that they need to support their local communities.”
“There are more and more places outside for kids to play.” – Maja Gilberg
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Stetson said that the pitches will also be utilized for youth programs and community programs such the ‘Believe Program,’ a soccer day camp for special needs children.
A different kind of football
General Manager for the New York Red Bulls Marc de Grandpre said, “Hopefully a young child will walk by here and be inspired to pick up the game of soccer.”
County Executive Thomas DeGise said that urban areas like Hoboken have to be creative to find outdoor places to play.
County Freeholder Anthony Romano said that he hopes parents are happy to see the new pitches and that the children will enjoy it.
Maja Gilberg, an uptown Hoboken resident of 15 years and mother of two boys, said she was excited to learn about the new pitches.
“There are more and more places outside for kids to play,” said Gilberg.
She said her 8-year-old son Noah plays soccer and will start playing for the city’s traveling team this year.
Paul Hawkens, senior director of multimedia and broadcasting for the New York Red Bulls, and a Hoboken resident, said he was very excited to see more play space available in his town.
After speeches from officials, a ceremonial first kick took place to officially open the pitch with executives and local dignitaries, along with New York Red Bulls players and Messing as goal keeper.
Following the official dedication, local youth from the Hoboken City Futbol Club participated in a scrimmage on the new pitch.
Marilyn Baer can be reached at marilynb@hudsonreporter.com