Crowdfunding campaign launched to bring Beacon Soccer Field to Lansing

$60,000 goal to secure matching grant through MEDC’s Public Spaces Community Places initiative

Lansing, Mich. – The Michigan Economic Development Corporation and the Capital Area Soccer League today announced a new crowdfunding campaign through Michigan-based crowdfunding platform Patronicity. The campaign will support the development of a community-owned, free-play mini soccer field in downtown Lansing.

If the Beacon Soccer Field project attains its crowdfunding goal of $60,000 by May 22, MEDC will provide a $60,000 matching grant. For project details and to donate, please visit: https://www.patronicity.com/project/beacon_field#/. 

“We are pleased to team up with the Capital Area Soccer League and the entire community to help create the kind of space that will provide lasting benefits for Lansing-area families for years to come,” said MEDC Community Development Director Katharine Czarnecki.

The inspiration for Beacon Soccer Field came from the success of five mini urban fields funded by FIFA in South Africa. With over 5,000 kids in the Lansing area involved in youth soccer, the City of Lansing has no doubt this field will produce equal success. The implementation of this mini urban soccer field will allow children of all ages and cultures to gather and share their love for the game.

“Beacon Field will provide a quality soccer experience – turf, lights and all – to everyone regardless of their connection to an organized team or league,” said Capital Area Soccer League Executive Director Scott Dane. “It’s a neighborhood field at the most grassroots level.”

Beacon Soccer Field will be located at Ferris Park, two blocks from Michigan’s State Capitol in the heart of downtown Lansing. The field will feature synthetic turf, perimeter kick boarding, posts and netting on each goal, and solar light fixtures. In addition to providing the Lansing area with a gathering space for the community, Beacon Field will also promote health and wellbeing for the surrounding area’s youth.

Public Spaces Community Places is a collaborative effort of the MEDC, the Michigan Municipal League, and Patronicity where local residents can use crowdfunding to be part of the development of strategic projects in their communities and be backed with a matching grant from MEDC. Communities, non-profits and other business entities can apply at https://patronicity.com/puremichigan.

Pure Michigan is a brand representing business, talent and tourism initiatives across Michigan. These efforts are driven by the Michigan Economic Development Corporation, which serves as the state’s marketing arm and lead advocate for business growth, jobs and opportunity with a focus on helping grow Michigan’s economy.

About Michigan Economic Development Corporation (MEDC)

The Michigan Economic Development Corporation is the state’s marketing arm and lead advocate for business development, job awareness and community development with the focus on growing Michigan’s economy. For more information on the MEDC and our initiatives, visit www.MichiganBusiness.org. For Pure Michigan® tourism information, your trip begins at www.michigan.org. Join the conversation on: Facebook Instagram LinkedIn, and Twitter.