COMMUNITY UPDATE · OCTOBER 6, 2026
Field Closure Proposals What’s happening in Pasadena?
Pasadena City Council is facing pressure from environmental advocacy groups to close two of the city’s main artificial-turf fields over environmental, health and safety concerns. This matters to every family and organization that depends on local places to play sport.
SoCal Youth Sports is not directly affected at the moment. However, closing fields could increase competition for the remaining space across Pasadena, affecting our families and our ability to grow in the future.
The pressure to close fields is the issue we are raising today; we are not announcing a confirmed closure date or a change to your child’s program.
Our stance: safe fields, active kids, a stronger community
Our position is clear: we support keeping turf fields available when they can be maintained safely and meet appropriate health and environmental standards. We want a practical resolution that addresses concerns about turf materials and infill while protecting children’s access to soccer and all their sports.
Keeping kids playing supports their physical and mental wellbeing. Our support for turf fields comes with a clear condition: suitable materials and infill, independent testing, heat safeguards and continued maintenance to keep those spaces safe and healthy.
Our long-term response is to give more back to our local community. Explore our community sports hub vision and help build local support.
What families need to know
Our programming is not currently affected. Our support for keeping turf fields open comes with a clear condition: the City must keep them safe, healthy and properly maintained.
We are sharing the possible implications for access to play, alongside our intentions for family communication, community partnerships and a potential soccer hub.
Why Pasadena youth soccer field access matters
If two fields close, the teams using them will need somewhere else to go. More teams competing for fewer available hours could make it harder for families to find convenient, affordable places to play.
That pressure could mean fewer practice and game slots, later sessions, longer journeys and less room for new players. Heavier use could also increase wear on the remaining fields and make it harder to give grass surfaces the maintenance and recovery time they need.
Low-cost city sports programs and families who cannot afford private alternatives could be hit hardest. When children lose access to sport, they also lose opportunities for physical activity, friendships, confidence and the support of a team. Their physical and mental wellbeing needs to be part of this decision.
Our position: safe fields and opportunities for every child
We ask the City to work toward a reasonable resolution that keeps dependable playing space available while addressing environmental and health concerns. That means evaluating each field, its materials, its infill and the safeguards needed for children to use it safely.
The parent advocacy letters call for materials made without intentionally added PFAS, no crumb-rubber infill, independent testing, heat-management procedures, regular maintenance and responsible end-of-life planning. We support evaluating those safeguards and using suitable infill supported by evidence and testing.
Keeping kids active matters enormously. So does the safety of the places they play. Our support for turf fields depends on the City maintaining them properly, monitoring their condition and responding to identified risks.
Add your voice: download a parent letter
Want to share your views with Pasadena’s Mayor and City Council? This draft letter focuses on safe field access and the families who depend on affordable youth sports.
Download it, add your name, address and date, and personalize it with your family’s experience before sending it through the City’s official contact or public-comment process.
OUR LONG-TERM RESPONSE · BUILDING LOCAL SUPPORT
More for our community: a community sports hub
We want to give more back to our local community than soccer programs alone. Our long-term ambition is a community sports hub: a welcoming place that could support different sports, bring families together and create more opportunities for local children to be active and involved.
We are starting the ball rolling now by building support among families, local organizations and potential sponsors. We want to explore how a hub could offer dependable places to play, opportunities across different sports and a stronger connection between the people who live here.
This is the beginning of a long-term community effort, with no confirmed site or opening date. We welcome field leads, introductions, expertise and sponsorship conversations to help turn the vision into practical next steps.
The community we want to keep playing
These moments from our existing youth soccer leagues show why access matters: time with teammates, chances to try and the joy of being involved.
Help create more places to play
Parents, local businesses and community organizations can help us explore what comes next.
- Know of possible field space? Share the location and a contact who can discuss access.
- Can introduce a community partner? Connect us with a school, facility owner or local organization.
- Interested in sponsorship? Tell us how your business could support youth soccer through funding, equipment or expertise.
Parents can email Matt with ideas or questions. Businesses and organizations can use the partnership form below or explore our existing youth sports sponsorship options.
Connect with us about sponsorship or a partnership
Share your organization’s interest, a potential field connection or an idea for helping more children participate.
Stay connected with your child’s program
For current sessions, check your Playbook booking and our latest weekly family update. If your booking is unclear, contact us before travelling to the field.
We intend to share confirmed programming updates as information becomes available. As we look ahead, our commitment stays the same: making sure all kids have places to play.
