Madison Reporter

The City of Madison Parks Division, in partnership with Madison Parks Foundation and Forward Madison FC, is pleased to announce the opening of the first futsal mini-pitch court at Penn Park. The community is invited to join City leaders, partners, and friends for a ribbon-cutting ceremony at 4pm on Thursday, April 11, 2024. Forward Madison FC players will be present for autographs and a kick-around play session.

Forward Madison FC Chief Operating Officer, Conor Caloia, expressed the organization's commitment to creating safe places for communities to play soccer, stating, “We are committed to creating safe, accessible places for our communities to play soccer.”

Madison Parks Superintendent, Eric Knepp, highlighted the importance of partnerships in developing public parks, stating, “This is an example of how partnerships with both the private and non-profit sectors are critical to the future of developing innovative and thriving public parks.”

The futsal mini-pitch is part of a larger effort by Forward Madison FC and the Madison Parks Foundation to bring additional mini-pitches to local Madison parks in the future. The Madison Parks Foundation has been instrumental in supporting this project, matching up to $15,000 in donations.

The new court area at Penn Park will feature seating, fencing, and lighting, with additional enhancements such as new courts, a renovated park shelter, a new restroom/concession building, a playground, and a gaga ball pit. A grant of $10,000 from The Soccer Fund of the Musco Corporation will be used for the mini-pitch enclosure.

The court colors and design were chosen with input from the neighborhood during an engagement process that included virtual meetings and drop-in sessions at the Goodman South Library. Bleacher seating will be added once the surfacing is completed.

The event on April 11 will mark the official opening of the futsal mini-pitch at Penn Park, with a ceremony and ribbon cutting scheduled for 4:00pm at 2101 Fisher Street. The event is open to friends, neighbors, community members, and leaders, offering an opportunity to celebrate this new addition to the Madison park system.