On a beautiful autumn Saturday, community members gathered around to watch the dedication of three new regulation-size turf soccer fields around Chicago. These fields are part of the “Take the Field’ initiative, which utilized both private and public resources to enhance Chicago’s open spaces, creating an environment where people can come together and celebrate their community through sports.
Mayor Emanuel traveled to each new field for its dedication ceremony, along with Mike Kelly and Bryan Traubert on behalf of the Chicago Park District. At Humboldt Park, Urban Initiatives players from Otis and Prieto schools looked on as the Mayor thanked Penny Pritzker and Allstate CEO Tom Wilson for their contribution to the initiative. At Cornell Square, Coach Jauregi and the Daley School team cheered for Paul Finnegan, the President of Teach for America who sponsored their field. Coach Anthony and players from Reavis thanked the Chicago Bears Foundation for the field at Jackson Park.
Bryan Traubert announced that the fields are meant to be “places where the community can come together and a symbol of the private and public sectors working together to improve our hometown."
Player and families were all thrilled by the fancy feel of the new turf under their feet!
Read the official press release here!
