Emotional Grand Opening Raul Macias Futsal Court L.A. River Center Jan. 24, 2009

The community celebrated the Grand Opening of the Raul Macias Futsal Court at the Los Angeles River Center and Gardens on January 24, 2009.

A native of Guadalajara, Mexico, Raul Macias founded Anahuak Youth Sports Association in 1997 to give children in communities close to the Los Angeles River in Northeast Los Angeles opportunities to succeed through soccer. Under Raul’s direction, today, more than 2,000 boys and girls ages 5-17 and their families and friends participate in Anahuak’s education, health and environmental programs and promote positive change in their neighborhoods. 

The Raul Macias Futsal Court is more than just a fun place to play soccer. It is a friend to the environment. Rain water on the fields is collected in a cistern and used to water the native plants in the L.A. River Center and Garden. The “soil” on the field is made from recycled Nike shoes. The turf does not need watering, pesticides or fertilizers that pollute the environment, and saves 200,000 gallons of water each year.

The Raul Macias Futsal Court is the result of a creative partnership that includes Santa Monica Mountains Conservancy, Mountains Recreation & Conservation Authority, Nike, L.A. 84, and Cal South.

Making the dream of the Raul Macias Futsal Court come true has been years in the making. Robbie LaBelle of Nike met Robert Garcia of The City Project around 1994, when Robbie was Captain of the UCLA soccer team and a member of the USA national team. Robbie coached Robert’s son – and Robert – in soccer. After graduating with a degree in Environmental Studies, Robbie worked at The City Project as Director of the PLAYS Project (Parks for L.A. Youth Soccer). Robbie and Robert met Raul Macias when the three were advocating for places to play around 2000. The City Project represented Anahuak for years in the advocacy and litigation to create what is now Rio de Los Angeles State Park as part of the greening of the Los Angeles River. Robbie later joined Nike, and now serves on The City Project Board of Directors. Raul and Miguel Luna from Anahuak, Robbie, and Robert began the conversation with Joe Edmiston and Barbara Romero from SMMC and MRCA, Patrick Escobar from L.A. 84, and Alicia Procello from Nike that resulted in the creation of the Raul Macias Futsal Court.

The Raul Macias Futsal Court is on the site of the abandoned tennis court at the L.A. River Center, which is the result of SMMC and MRCA working with the community to convert the old Lawry’s restaurant into a center of the community.

Thank you to everyone who has made this dream come true!

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