Hoboken Receives $200k Grant from U.S. Soccer Federation

Hoboken is officially a "safe place to play."

On Monday, the city announced that the U.S. Soccer Federation has awarded Hoboken with a $200,000 grant for the renovation of 1600 Park. The money is part of the 2013 Safe Places to Play Grant.

The money will pay for the turf field to be built as part of the first phase of construction at 1600 Park and Hoboken Cove.

Beside the field, the first construction phase also includes lighting, bleachers and leaning rails, a dog run, restrooms, bike racks, and a slide hill and viewing mound.

"With a booming population as more families choose to stay here for the long term, our community needs more open space for recreation than ever before," Mayor Dawn Zimmer said in a press release. "We are so thankful to the U.S. Soccer Foundation for their generous support in building what will be a great field for our entire community to enjoy."

The grant is one of 48 grants from the U.S. Soccer Federation, together a total of $2.4 million.

"The U.S. Soccer Foundation is thrilled to support the City of Hoboken’s efforts to provide a safe place for children to play soccer," said Krista Washington, marketing and communications coordinator at the U.S. Soccer Foundation. 

The original plan for the opening of the soccer field at 1600 Park was September 2011. The opening has been delayed since. Construction recently began on phase 1 of 1600 Park & Hoboken Cove.