Mini Pitch open and ready for action at Musser Park

The new Mini-Pitch playing field adjacent to the Skate Park in Musser Park has seen plenty of action in the few short weeks that it has been opened, with all reviews pointing to an excellent addition to available outdoor recreation activities within the City of Muscatine.

MUSCO Lighting developed, constructed, and will promote the Mini-Pitch System™ as a new product line for the company. The Muscatine City Council approved the project at its August 5, 2020, meeting.

John Dindinger and Jason Schillig of MUSCO Lighting stated in their memo to Council that once installed and operational, the system will help promote exercise and positive activities/choices for the local youth, via soccer, in Muscatine. The Muscatine Skate Park was built in 2003 as part of the Pearl of the Mississippi Community Projects, and includes a concrete in-line/foot hockey rink. The rink will be repurposed with the Musco Mini-Pitch System™ to accommodate soccer and in-line/foot hockey.

The City of Muscatine Parks and Recreation Department will oversee the Mini-Pitch Field with cost to reserve the field set at $15.00 per hour. Drop in use is free of charge with a schedule of reserved time periods to be displayed in the kiosk at the field. The Mini-Pitch will be available during park hours (5 a.m. to 11 p.m.). A push button is located near the parking lot to activate the lighting system at night.

The Muscatine Skate Park opened during the summer of 2003 and is located at Musser Park. This park offers the Muscatine Community an opportunity to use their skateboards, roller blades and BMX bikes in an environment where they can improve their skills in a place designed for that purpose. The park includes parking for up to 27 vehicles, a flat track and a fenced area with a 100-by-100-foot stunt area and a 90-by-50-foot in-line hockey rink. The obstacle / stunt area has a concrete surface with a variety of steel ramps.

During the presentation to the Muscatine City Council, councilmember Osmond Malcolm suggested that the center circle of the Mini-Pitch be painted with the City of Muscatine flag. The councilmember created the Malcolm Flag Fund to raise the $1,500 that would be necessary to paint the flag in the center circle. Donations to the Malcolm Flag Fun can be mailed to the City of Muscatine Finance Department, 215 Sycamore St., Muscatine, Iowa 52761.

.