City to fund new mini-pitch soccer fields in Schneider Park

Toledo Mayor Wade Kapszukiewicz believes soccer is a sport for everyone.

His belief in the need for accessibility within the sport is the motivation behind a new ordinance being presented to city council on Wednesday.

The ordinance will authorize the mayor to enter into a grant agreement with the Toledo Celtics Inc. so the city can contribute $70,000 toward the acquisition of two new mini-pitch soccer fields at Schneider Park.

The fields are similar to a hockey rink, but you play soccer inside of them, according to Joe Fausnaugh, the director of Parks and Youth Services. They have boards surrounding them and are much smaller than a normal soccer field, enabling individuals with mobility issues or visual impairments to enjoy the game.

“One of the things I love about Toledo is that Toledo feels like a family, and it always has to me,” Mayor Kapszukiewicz said. “When someone in your family faces a challenge, you want to rally behind them and make sure they can be included in everything you do.”

The fields will not only serve individuals with mobility issues or visual impairments; they will function as a spot for local children to play pick-up games.

The mini-pitch fields will have built-in goals and can be played on in flat sneakers. Further, the fields will have out-of-bound and goalie lines, said Yousef Aliakbar, director of youth for the Toledo Celtics.

“It is designed for kids to be able to freely and easily be able to access soccer without needing a bunch of extra equipment,” Mr. Aliakbar said.

The fields will also provide an opportunity to expand the futsal culture in Toledo. Futsal is like the fast version of soccer, Mr. Aliakbar said. It’s all done on flat surfaces and small pitches. Futsal versus soccer is akin to pickleball versus tennis, he said.

While futsal is very popular in the Detroit and Columbus areas, it hasn’t taken off in northwest Ohio; these mini-pitch fields could change that.

“The fields will kind of bridge the gap of the futsal community between Michigan and central Ohio,” Mr. Aliakbar said.

Once the ordinance is approved, it will take about six weeks for materials to arrive. Parks and Youth Services will collaborate with Matt Cherry, a member of the Northwest Ohio Building & Construction Trades Council, to do a community build of the mini-pitches once materials arrive.

Mr. Fausnaugh is hopeful the build will take place in September.

“We have to find a way to make sure that everyone in Toledo — regardless of whatever physical, social, or mental challenges you may have — is able to take part in what Toledo has to offer,” Mayor Kapszukiewicz said.

Last week, the city of Toledo unveiled an accessible playground at Ottawa Park, which is already a national demonstration model for playground accessibility, said the mayor. The Schneider Park field is perhaps the latest example of accessibility expansion in local parks, but it’s really a continuation of years-long initiative.

The mini-pitch fields will be installed next to where the city plans to build an accessible playground and adjacent to a barrier-free loop trail.

“When all three projects are done, Schneider Park will be one of the most disability friendly parks in northwest Ohio,” Mr. Fausnaugh said.