Many people have actually asked me this same question; “Where are the best fields to play the beautiful game of soccer, football, fussball, futbol?” It doesn’t matter what name you call it, all that matters is you show your love for it.
Well in the Northern Dallas area, I have personally made my own marks on several different fields and will address a couple of my favorite ones to play on, whether it is due to the grass, the goals, or the people.
Richland College, on Walnut Street and Abrams, just north east of I75 and 635, houses a couple of practice fields, somewhat open to the public (more on that later). They have good sized goals, about 6 foot 7 (I am 6’4 and so I’m merely judging on how much of a reach it is for me to grasp the top with my arms), and they are seperated a fair distance suitable for a good match of about 8-on-8 people to play with.
About the “somewhat open” statement, it refers to campus police. Sometimes they make the exhibitionists move off of those particular fields to play behind the goals (very open areas, so be sure to bring cones or bags to mark as goals just in case) and sometimes they do not. I’m not entirely sure if it’s due to playing on Sunday as opposed to Tuesday or Thursday or if it was just merely needed to be kept in shape for the actual soccer team the college may have. Another problem you may find is, some of the players like to, what I call, dance with the ball a bit too much. It can be frustrating when you’re setting up a play and wait for a pass back, only to see the player either take the shot, and miss, or lose the ball. Sometimes taking the shot may actually reward your side.
Along White Rock Trail, there are quite a few areas to play on, getting an actual time, however, has been far more difficult than I expected. I have traveled from 635 on to Hillcrest where the trail begins and have found one set of goals there. Going further down the trail towards Royal Lane, I have found a big park that has big open spaces for soccer fanatics to enjoy.
Going north past Richland, there is a recreation center, at a place called Huffines Park on Plano Rd and Beltline. It is a beautiful place with a huge field and goals set up for anyones footballing desires to be fulfilled.
One final place, I have found through a friend, is Berkner Highschool. It is right across from Berkner park which you can find turning off of Beltine, southbound on Yale Blvd. It has odd times in regards to when people will actually play, sometimes Sundays are consistent and sometimes it is empty. The players here tend to be more focused on passing and ball movement so if you are aggravated easily, this would be prefered over Richland College.
I hope you enjoy this brief account and go out there and enjoy the beautiful game, maybe we can play each other.
