Good news for residents: the city of Chula Vista welcomed community members of all ages back to a transformed Harborside Park Dec. 16.
The renovated park is now home to a new soccer mini-pitch open for play, along with a resodded field, improved lighting and security, and other improvements. The upgrades were possible because of funding and collaboration from professional soccer player and Chula Vista native Paul Arriola, the city of Chula Vista, Target, and the U.S. Soccer Foundation.
“The reopening of Harborside Park is a wonderful addition to this West Chula Vista community,” said Chula Vista Mayor John McCann. “It signals our commitment to provide outstanding recreation facilities for all neighborhoods in our city.”
The reopening event included a ribbon-cutting, an official first kick and scrimmages on the new pitch, food, and music. The park has seen extensive renovations since closing in August 2022 to address safety concerns. Among the other improvements made were the installation of permanent fencing and basketball court resurfacing. The upgrades were guided by community feedback gathered through meetings and surveys in 2022 and 2023.
The new Musco Mini-Pitch System — which includes a hard-court surface suited for soccer programs and pick-up play — was also part of the park renovations.
“I am extremely excited and honored to open up the mini pitch in my hometown of Chula Vista,” said Arriola, who plays as a forward for FC Dallas. “Growing up only a couple of miles away from the park, I never had somewhere to go and touch the ball besides the front yard. I’m excited to provide a pitch where kids can come to feel safe, have fun, and continue to grow their love for the sport of soccer. Soccer has the ability to unite all, and I hope this mini pitch can do just that.”
For more than 30 years, the U.S. Soccer Foundation has been the leading force focused on advancing soccer as a vehicle for social impact. The foundation has worked collaboratively with 1,000 national and local partners to positively impact more than 2 million youth in largely underserved communities – delivering proven programs that foster improved health and well-being at a time when kids need it most.
This new mini-pitch is one of more than 750 mini-pitches that the U.S. Soccer Foundation has created for play across the U.S. Data from the U.S. Soccer Foundation shows that 99% say that their community is more active after installation of a mini-pitch and 98% say the community feels safer.
“We are thrilled to open a new mini-pitch with the city of Chula Vista, Paul Arriola, and Target,” said Jennifer Arnold, Vice President at the U.S. Soccer Foundation. “As soccer has a moment here in the U.S., our U.S. Soccer Foundation team ensures that millions of kids in under-resourced communities do too. This new mini-pitch is another safe place for hundreds of young people to play and benefit from our game.”
