The city of Newport and FC Cincinnati are bringing a mini soccer pitch to Bernadette Watkins Park.
The soccer pitch, essentially a mini soccer field with turf, will be located at 401 W 6th St. FC Cincinnati will build the pitch, and any future maintenance obligations will be addressed through the park’s operational budgets.
Newport City Manager John Hayden said the idea goes back to conversations the city has had with FC Cincinnati since about 2023. He said the mini-pitch build is part of a program FC Cincinnati runs. According to FC Cincinnati’s website, it has committed to building mini pitches in the Greater Cincinnati region to provide a safe place for children to learn and play soccer.
“Soccer is hotter now than it’s ever been in the region,” said Newport Mayor Tom Guidugli Jr. “I’ve got two that play all the time, everywhere, and it takes time, and it would be great to have them play here in the city. So I’m extremely excited as well.”
FC Cincinnati has also built a mini pitch at Austinburg Park, 502-16 E 15th St., in Covington. Find all of the mini pitches in the area here.
The city plans to host educational programming there, involve the schools and open it to the public.
“FC Cincinnati, they’re not just coming in to build the mini pitch,” said Newport Municipal Specialist Josh Tunning. “They want to be hosting some soccer clinics and fun events down there as well. So we’re anticipating a pretty regular schedule of our parks and rec working with FC Cincinnati, hosting some really cool events. I think we’ll be working with the schools as well.”
Tunning said the city is aiming for a groundbreaking in early June and expects construction to take about 30 days. That would put the brand-new soccer mini-pitch at the park before the end of July. Hayden said he anticipated FC Cincinnati would hold a kickoff event to show off the pitch to the community.
Hayden said it will be too late this year, but next year he envisions a youth soccer league at the pitch.
“It’s so exciting that park has been begging for something like this,” said Newport Vice Mayor Julie Smith Morrow. “And in West Newport, this is fabulous, and for all of Newport, it’s very exciting.”
