Once Known for Potholes and Geese, A Field Now Worthy of East Palo Alto’s Youth

East Palo Alto -"It was ugly," said 14-year-old Nicholas Kava. "Yeah, it was terrible."

Kava was talking about a football field that no longer exists, replaced by the city's first full-size turf field. On Wednesday afternoon, he tossed a ball to his friends from the 10-yard line, his shoes digging into the bright green, smooth surface.

Sweating under a bright winter sun, he paused and looked around.

"It's amazing," he said.

His friends agreed, then went back to playing.

Over at the 50-yard line, community members gathered to highlight what a new field - designed for multiple sports and all ages - means to East Palo Alto.

"Today's celebration is about more than a new field. It is about what happens when a community comes together with a shared vision," said San Mateo County Supervisor Lisa Gauthier, who represents the city as part of District 4and grew up there. "It's about partnerships, pride and possibility, and it's about giving our young people a place to run, compete and dream big."

The celebration began early with a ribbon-cutting marking the official opening of the field as one of nine regional "Sports For All Hubs" supported by the Bay Area Host Committee, which is coordinating local legacy projects as it helps bring the Super Bowl and World Cup soccer matches to Levi's Stadium.

The morning program drew local leaders, students and alumni - including several professional football players who got their start in East Palo Alto, a city that has long punched above its weight in the sport.

The new turf field is part of a $4.2 million initiative involving the Ravenswood City School District and the City of East Palo Alto, with support from public and private donors.

San Mateo County supervisors contributed $800,000 toward the project, and the new field is ready for action on the shared campus of Los Robles Magnet Academy and Los Robles Ronald McNair Academy, named for Ronald McNair, an astronaut killed in the 1986 Challenger explosion.

East Palo Alto has produced six current NFL players. Among those in attendance at the morning ceremony were Meehki Blackmon, KeeSean Johnson and brothers Nahshon and Rejzohn Wright.

Among those watching Wednesday was Jurrion Dickey, a 20-year-old college wide receiver who grew up training on the old field.

"Loads of geese, birds, groundhogs," he said, remembering practices there, the animals "doing what animals do in dirt."

He recalled bear-crawling drills across mud and learning to play through whatever the field offered. "If you love it," he said, "you make it work."

With events held throughout the day, Maurice Baker, the city's community services manager, pulled new blue jerseys out of a box and handed them to local kids. A boy wearing No. 10 pulled one on and immediately caught an over-the-shoulder pass.

"Having a space like this, year-round, matters," Baker said. "It gives kids somewhere safe to be."

The field will be used for more than football. It's lined for soccer and lacrosse and will host everything from pickup games to leagues and club teams.

Judy Barker, one of the organizers of a new girls flag football program in the city, said the field will help jump-start participation.

"Before, girls watched their brothers play football," she said. "Now they'll play here. We'll be able to use this field."

Among those celebrating were Sourdough Sam, the 49ers mascot with his suspenders and oversized boots, and two 49ers cheerleaders who posed for photos. Kids grabbed free pizza as high-energy music poured from speakers. High above the field, red flags atop the yellow goal posts barely stirred.

Gauthier joined a group of younger kids playing keep away. Mayor Webster Lincoln thanked everyone who contributed.

Earlier, Jackey Wilson tossed passes to children, including his three sons - 9-year-old twins and an 8-year-old. "I grew up playing on this field," he said. "Now I'm out here with my kids, but it's different. It's turf. It's even. It's great for them."

As the dedication ceremony wrapped up, coaches from College of San Mateo stepped onto the field and began leading drills with local students. A flag football game was scheduled to follow.

Not far away, Carlton Broussard was among a group with Kava running pass patterns.

"I love it here," he said. "They did a good job because the old field was muddy. The goal post was rusty and it needed to be redone."

He was quick to get back to playing. "The sun is shining. I love being out here with my friends and competing with each other to see who's best."

Asked who's the best, he didn't hesitate.

"Me," he said. "One hundred percent."

Media Contact

Joshua Caspillan
Legislative Aide
Supervisor Lisa Gauthier
[email protected]
650-363-4570