You are reading

City Completes Goal to Construct 50 Soccer Pitches Throughout the Five Boroughs in Five Years

City officials marked the 50th mini-pitch built in NYC in the last five years at a ribbon-cutting ceremony in Manhattan (Michael Appleton/ Mayoral Photography Office)

Nov. 10, 2021 By Allie Griffin

The city has completed its goal to construct 50 soccer pitches throughout the five boroughs in five years, Mayor Bill de Blasio announced Wednesday.

The 50th mini-pitch was recently completed in Manhattan, marking the final soccer field built in the city through a $3 million initiative aimed at expanding free soccer programming in underserved neighborhoods and promoting a healthy, active lifestyle to city kids.

The “New York City Soccer Initiative,” launched in 2016, was made possible through a private-public partnership between the Mayor’s Fund to Advance New York City, New York City Football Club, the U.S. Soccer Foundation, Adidas and Etihad Airways.

“Investing in recreational spaces for our children builds stronger communities,” de Blasio said in a statement. “I am grateful to the Mayor’s Fund and our partners for their commitment to provide more youth with opportunities to participate in sports and programs where they can develop life skills to succeed on and off the pitch.”

The last 13 mini-pitches were installed this year — ushering the city to its 50-pitches goal on schedule, despite challenges created by the pandemic.

In addition to the new fields, the initiative provides more than 10,000 youth in historically underserved NYC communities access to free soccer programming. The programming includes the U.S. Soccer Foundation’s “soccer for success” program and New York City Football Club’s “city in the community” foundation soccer programming.

The program also aims to mentor the city’s youth and works with the city’s Young Men’s Initiative to provide young men of color with mentorship opportunities.

New mini-pitches built this year in Queens include one in Flushing, one in Rockaway Park and one in East Elmhurst.

There have been 12 mini-pitches built across the borough since the initiative launched in 2016.

The CEO of New York City Football Club Brad Sims said he hopes the pitches have a lasting impact on the local communities where they are placed.

“Since our inauguration, we have been working to build a Club that is part of the fabric of this great city and one that will leave a lasting, tangible and positive impact across the five boroughs,” Sims said in a statement. “After just five years, we are tremendously proud to fulfill our promise, see these 50 pitches already having a huge impact on local communities and to know that they will forever be a part of New York City.”

Below are all 12 soccer pitches built through the initiative in Queens.

Built in 2021:

Vleigh Playground/P.S. 165 – 7035 150th St, Flushing, NY 11367

Bayside Playground – 102-15 Beach Channel Dr, Rockaway Park, NY 11694

Louis Moser Playground – 25th Avenue and 76th Street, East Elmhurst, NY 11370

Built in 2020:

Utopia Playground (Utopia, Queens) – 73rd Avenue &, Utopia Pkwy, Fresh Meadows, NY 11366

Pomonok Playground (Pomonok, Queens) – Kissena Blvd. &, 65th Ave, Flushing, NY 11367

Fresh Meadows Playground (Fresh Meadows, Queens) – 173rd St, Fresh Meadows, NY 11365

Built in 2019:

Equity Playground (Woodhaven, Queens) – 91-02 88th Ave, Woodhaven, NY 11421

Flushing Meadows Corona Park (Flushing/Corona, Queens) – Corona, NY 11368

Built in 2018:

Playground 62/P.S. 220 Edward Mandel (Forest Hills/Corona, Queens)

Built in 2017:

Triborough Bridge Playground (B), (Astoria, Queens)

P.S. 019 Marino Jeantet, (Corona, Queens)

Irwin Altman Middle School 172/Hillside Park, (Glen Oaks, Queens)

A full list of mini-pitch locations can be found here. The initiative also earmarks funds for maintaining the pitches.

email the author: news@queenspost.com

One Comment

Click for Comments 

Leave a Comment
Reply to this Comment

All comments are subject to moderation before being posted.

This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply.

Recent News

May races in Queens: JFK Airport 5K, Forest Park trail classic and a Queensborough 5K

May. 16, 2025 By Paulina Albarracin

The energy of May is on full display across Queens, with a lineup of local races that invite runners of all levels to hit the pavement and the trails. With mild temperatures and sunny skies setting the stage, it’s the perfect time to take advantage of the spring weather before the summer heat sets in. From the Forest Park 4 Mile Road and Trail Classic to the festive Great Hawaiian Luau 5K at Flushing Meadows-Corona Park, these events offer more than just a workout—they foster community spirit and personal growth. Don’t forget to apply sunscreen before lacing up and heading out. Whether you’re a seasoned runner or new to the sport, these May races offer a chance to challenge yourself and connect with others in motion.

Mayor Adams marks one year of ‘Padlock to Protect’ with pizza and progress in Queens

Mayor Eric Adams marked the one-year anniversary of the launch of the city’s “Operation Padlock to Protect” initiative at a pizzeria on the Rego Park and Middle Village border on Wednesday and touted the significant progress in shutting down more than 1,400 illegal smoke shops across the five boroughs and seizing more than $95 million in illegal product since last May.

“The city was fed up. We heard it at every town hall. This time last year, there were thousands of illegal smoke shops plaguing our city with unlicensed cannabis endangering our children,” Adams said. “One year later, we are proud to announce that we have turned the tide. Thanks to the tireless efforts by our city’s law enforcement officers, we’ve padlocked thousands of illegal shops and created safer streets for children and families. But we’re not stopping there.”