Philadelphia’s Conestoga Park to Receive Brand New Soccer Field Through Support of the UAE Embassy and Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia

Philadelphia Parks & Recreation (“Philadelphia Parks”) today announced the start of construction on a brand-new, year-round soccer field at Conestoga Park. This field is made possible through the support of the Embassy of the United Arab Emirates (“UAE Embassy”) in Washington, DC and Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia (“CHOP”). The renovation is expected to be completed later this Spring.

In addition to the rebuilding of the field, Philadelphia Parks and the West Philadelphia Soccer Academy (“WPSA”) will provide ongoing and complimentary youth soccer programming through the support of the UAE Embassy. 

"We are proud of our continued investment and commitment to upgrading Conestoga Park, an important green space for West Philadelphia,” said Philadelphia Parks Commissioner Susan Slawson. “With thanks to the UAE Embassy and Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia, this project is another example of our dedication to the community and to youth sports."

“Through the renovation of the Conestoga Park, the residents of West Philadelphia will benefit from having access to a beautiful, refurbished field right in their neighborhood,” said CHOP CEO Madeline Bell. “We are proud to be part of the Philadelphia community and are committed to supporting the children of this city through collaborations with close partners like the UAE and Philadelphia Parks.”

“Our partnership with Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia is built on decades of collaboration and a shared commitment to advancing pediatric health not only in the UAE and the United States, but around the world. Over the years, CHOP and the UAE have worked closely together to deliver expert care and improve outcomes for countless children and families. This project at Conestoga Park is more than an investment in a soccer field—it is a testament to what we can achieve when we join forces to support healthier, brighter futures for young people everywhere,” said UAE Ambassador to the United States Yousef Al Otaiba.

CHOP has a long-standing relationship with the UAE, formalized through agreements with major UAE health entities, and has provided expert care to many Emirati patients over several decades. CHOP’s engagement in the UAE includes direct clinical care for Emirati children, medical education, joint research, and specialist training programs, all aimed at advancing pediatric expertise and healthcare across the region.

“This project will significantly transform our ability to create safe, accessible and affordable soccer programs that deliver positive health and social outcomes,” said WPSA Director and Head Coach Sylvester Corbie. “Since its establishment in 1994, WPSA has played an important role as the only soccer club in West Philadelphia, coaching and managing U8 and U13 teams competing locally in the city-wide championship league in addition to running soccer programs and camps throughout the school year. Through this generous investment in our home field at the Conestoga Community Playground, we will be better positioned to continue advancing soccer and promoting sportsmanship in our communities.”

“In the 4th District, we have recreational diversity from Polo to Rowing and now a brand new society pitch field at Conestoga Recreation Center on 52nd Street,” said Councilmember Curtis Jones Jr. “Special thanks to our friends at CHOP and the United Arab Emirates Embassy.”

The UAE Embassy has partnered with institutions and organizations throughout the US to build all-weather soccer fields with free coaching for youth in underserved communities across the country. Thousands of children have benefited from the soccer fields that have been constructed in Boston, New York City (Harlem, Brooklyn, and the Bronx), Miami, East Los Angeles, Chicago, Washington, DC, Dallas, Cleveland, Atlantic City and Asbury Park.