The Orlando City Council approved a plan to transform tennis courts at Hankins Park into a hardcourt soccer/futsal court Thursday. The Orlando City Foundation will install the pitch through use of private and grant donations, the city said.
“We have seen great success with the implementation of a futsal court at the John H. Jackson Center, where children were able to participate in the Soccer for Success program this past summer,” Orlando Mayor Buddy Dyer said. “Throughout the 12-week program, Orlando City staff, coaches and players visited the center three times a week to interact with children and provide guidance in four main areas: physical activity, nutrition, mentorship and family engagement.”
It is hopeful then that the city can copy that success at this park.
Hankins Park is located off of John Young Parkway between the Orlando Baptist Church and Colonial Drive.
Building the park and field in this area is part of Mayor Dyer’s plans to engage children in poorer areas and give them educational and physical education programs that otherwise might not be available.
Orlando City built its first futsal park in conjunction with the city of Orlando at the John H. Jackson Community Center off of Orange Blossom Trail in the Parramore area. Dyer clearly believes the park and the programs the city established with them have been a success in their first year.
