Denver schools add 50 mini soccer pitches in 2026
Vita Coco and the U.S. Soccer Foundation installed the third such field in the district, allowing students at Trevista at Horace Mann to play daily during recess.
By Layla Richardson ·
Students at Trevista at Horace Mann in Denver now have a dedicated space for soccer during their daily recess. The new mini-pitch, which features enclosed walls and no out-of-bounds areas, allows children of all ages and abilities to play together. The installation marks the third of these compact fields added to Denver Public Schools in 2026.
Vita Coco and the U.S. Soccer Foundation funded the project. The facility was revealed at the start of the school year to kick off the new term. Aric Pelafas, a physical education teacher at the school, said he first contacted the U.S. Soccer Foundation four years ago to request such a space. He noted that many students had limited exposure to organized sports prior to the installation.
Pelafas stated that the pitch has become a central part of the school day. Students use the facility every day during breaks. He observed that the visible lines and goals on the court generate high energy among the children. He said the field helps teach life skills, specifically how to handle winning and losing while supporting peers.
One student, Teyo Boltkolinek, has played soccer since age three. He said the game moves quickly when players kick the ball fast, but the pace slows down because the walls allow for passes against the barrier. He described the enclosed space as a key feature that changes how the game is played.
This is not the first time the district has installed these fields. Bryant Webster Dual Language School received a mini-pitch in 2018. Andrew Hernandez, an assistant principal at that school, said the field is the most popular location on campus. He noted that the site serves an early childhood academy with students ranging from three to 14 years old.
Hernandez said older students often adjust their play style to create space for younger children. He watched students of different ages play together on the pitch every morning. The district aims to expand this type of physical activity infrastructure across its elementary schools.
The new field at Trevista at Horace Mann joins the existing installation at Bryant Webster. The addition provides a consistent, enclosed environment for physical activity in a district that serves a wide range of student ages.
