Improving Communities Through Soccer

LEGO has partnered with the U.S. Soccer Foundation to create a new safe place for kids to play soccer and gain life skills in Albuquerque, New Mexico.

1 minute read

June 26, 2023, 8:00 AM PDT

By Clement Lau


Have you heard of a “mini-pitch?”  Essentially, it is a small, customized, hard court created for organized soccer programs and pick-up games. As reported by Lauren Green, LEGO and the U.S. Soccer Foundation have just created a new mini-pitch at the HB & Lucille Horn Family YMCA in Albuquerque, New Mexico. This project is part of the U.S. Soccer Foundation’s efforts to transform underutilized areas into state-of-the-art pitches and create safe soccer play spaces that all community residents can use. The Foundation has set an ambitious goal of installing 1,000 mini-pitches by 2026.

Each mini-pitch installation typically includes:

  • A brightly colored court that transforms the look and feel of the location where it is built, whether it be a park or a school.
  • Lighting which extends the number of hours kids and adults can play in a day.
  • ADA-accessible gates and hard-court surface which allows for everyone to be able to play on the pitch.
  • Lockable storage, benches, and other enhancements which provide convenience to players and spectators.

According to the U.S. Soccer Foundation, mini-pitches have positively impacted communities.  Surveys conducted after installation of mini-pitches indicate that:

  • 98% say that people in the community are more active.
  • 98% say that the community feels safer.
  • 93% say that mini-pitches serve as community gathering places.

To find a mini-pitch near you, check out this locator tool

Thursday, June 22, 2023 in KOB4

portrait of professional woman

I love the variety of courses, many practical, and all richly illustrated. They have inspired many ideas that I've applied in practice, and in my own teaching. Mary G., Urban Planner

I love the variety of courses, many practical, and all richly illustrated. They have inspired many ideas that I've applied in practice, and in my own teaching.

Mary G., Urban Planner

Use Code 25for25 at checkout for 25% off an annual plan!

Redlining map of Oakland and Berkeley.

Rethinking Redlining

For decades we have blamed 100-year-old maps for the patterns of spatial racial inequity that persist in American cities today. An esteemed researcher says: we’ve got it all wrong.

May 15, 2025 - Alan Mallach

Logo for Planetizen Federal Action Tracker with black and white image of U.S. Capitol with water ripple overlay.

Planetizen Federal Action Tracker

A weekly monitor of how Trump’s orders and actions are impacting planners and planning in America.

May 14, 2025 - Diana Ionescu

Front of Walmart store with sign.

Walmart Announces Nationwide EV Charging Network

The company plans to install electric car chargers at most of its stores by 2030.

May 7, 2025 - Inc.

Aerial view of Albuquerque, New Mexico at sunset.

New State Study Suggests Homelessness Far Undercounted in New Mexico

An analysis of hospital visit records provided a more accurate count than the annual point-in-time count used by most agencies.

May 16 - Source NM

Close-up on white bike helmet lying on pavement with blurred red bike on its side in background abd black car visible behind it.

Michigan Bills Would Stiffen Penalties for Deadly Crashes

Proposed state legislation would close a ‘legal gap’ that lets drivers who kill get away with few repercussions.

May 16 - Wood TV 8

Muni bus on red painted bus-only lane in downtown San Francisco, California.

Report: Bus Ridership Back to 86 Percent of Pre-Covid Levels

Transit ridership around the country was up by 85 percent in all modes in 2024.

May 16 - Mass Transit