OCEANSIDE — A new futsal court at Libby Lake Park, funded by a federal grant, opened on Jan. 28, providing a much-needed recreational space for the community.
The city received funding for the project through a Community Development Block Grant from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development.
The initiative was carried out in partnership with the U.S. Soccer Foundation and Musco Lighting as part of the “Safe Places to Play” program, which aims to provide recreational facilities in underserved areas.
Futsal is a fast-paced variation of soccer played on a hard court, similar to a basketball court, and is particularly popular in South America. The sport has been gaining traction in the United States, according to city officials.
Councilmember Jimmy Figueroa, who previously supervised the Project REACH youth program at Libby Lake, said the project has been “almost 10 years in the making” for the children in the area.
“The kids used to dream of having a place to play soccer,” Figueroa said.
The new futsal court replaces a former volleyball court that had been rarely used. Figueroa recalled that, years ago, when he would bring students from Project REACH to the park, there was limited open space for soccer despite strong interest from local youth.
During a recent ribbon-cutting ceremony, Figueroa reflected on how city leaders had once gathered in the park in response to a 2013 shooting that left two young people dead and two others injured.
“We were discussing what we could do to bring light back into this community and light into this park,” he said.
In the following years, Project REACH students worked alongside city leaders to revitalize the park through community cleanups, murals, and advocacy efforts, including requests to replace the volleyball court with a basketball or soccer area.
“Having this take place today is an extremely special moment for me, and I think for a lot of us in this community,” Figueroa said.
The event also featured Antonio Chavez, a member of the U.S. Beach Soccer National Team, who grew up in Oceanside and attended El Camino High School.
Chavez expressed excitement about the court’s impact, saying it could help local children develop a passion for soccer while strengthening the community.
“This court will play an important role in fostering a culture of community, and by investing in our people, we will continue to bring pride to our wonderful city,” Chavez said.
The futsal court is now open to the public for free play, offering a new space for recreation and community engagement in Libby Lake Park.
