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Community group says Cary Park hockey reservation displaced weekly soccer pickup; asks city for indoor space and futsal investment
Summary
Love Peace Football and coaches told PRAC that a roller-hockey reservation displaced their long-running Monday pickup at Cary Park—s inline courts. Speakers asked the city to prioritize affordable access, offer gym space, and plan for a futsal complex to reflect Fresno participation patterns.
Earlier in the meeting during unscheduled public communication, community members said a roller-hockey reservation at Cary Park—s inline hockey court displaced Love Peace Football—s weekly Monday pickup, a free community futsal-style game that organizers said draws about 100 participants each week and continues a 20-year neighborhood tradition.
Pedro Navarro Cruz, speaking for Love Peace Football, told commissioners the group had asked the Parks Department about formalizing use and was told a reservation rate would be $145 per hour, an amount he said the volunteer-run program cannot afford. Navarro Cruz said the same facility was later offered to the hockey group at a discounted rate of $90 for two hours; he said that discrepancy, and a perceived prioritization of pickleball in park planning, reflect inequities that run against the city—s stated goals.
Why it matters: speakers said the inline court is an important weekly gathering place for youth and families, and they urged the city to preserve access for community-run soccer. Cesar Gomez, a youth coach who brings 13 children to the Monday pickup, said the court provides structure, safety and belonging for kids from across Fresno. Both speakers asked commissioners to help the group secure regular indoor gym space when weather or scheduling conflicts require it and to prioritize funding for a small futsal complex in the next fiscal year.
Requests and context: Navarro Cruz asked the city to 1) accommodate Love Peace Football pickups in an indoor gymnasium such as Tessie Wills or Maxi Parks during regular hours; and 2) prioritize funding next fiscal year for a multi-court futsal complex with at least three small indoor courts. He criticized recent park master-plan amendments that, he said, relied on national trends and favored pickleball investment over sports more popular locally, such as soccer and basketball. Navarro Cruz and Gomez emphasized that their participants are largely people of color and that the city should base park investments on Fresno—s local participation and demographics.
Ending: Commissioners acknowledged the public comment period and moved on to scheduled hearings. The record shows the concerns were raised during unscheduled communications and will be part of the public record for future parks and facilities planning.
