Trenton youth soccer players accustomed to playing in dirt, dust and mud, kicked off a sparkling clean new era for sports action Wednesday as city officials opened an artificial tile mini-pitch inside Unity Park. Trenton Mayor Reed Gusciora cut the ribbon on a 60’ by 40’ outdoor tiles surface created by Snapsports as part of Musco’s Mini-Pitch System Modular Sports Solution. The $140,000 Mini-Pitch System installation lists as an all-in-one design that creates fun and active soccer play spaces by revitalizing public areas. The project includes galvanized steel poles, fence panels and structure, lighting, built-in goals, netting and other accessories that turned a grassless patch of earth into a spectacular home for a popular Team America Trenton soccer program. Funding for the project came from the American Rescue Act. Mini-pitch at Unity Park is new home for Team America Trenton youth soccer players. (L.A. Parker/The Trentonian)Children exercised on new mini-pitch surface at Unity Park. (L.A. Parker/The Trentonian)Unity Park guests waited for ribbon-cutting ceremony for new soccer field at Unity Park. (L.A. Parker/The Trentonian)Jose Cabrera ( third from left) with young players from his Team America Trenton squad. (L.A. Parker/The Trentonian)Trenton Mayor Reed Gusciora cut ribbon on mini soccer pitch at Unity Park. (L.A. Parker/The Trentonian)Maxa Posso scored first goal on new mini-pitch at Unity Park. (L.A. Parker/The Trentonian) North Ward Councilwoman Jennifer Williams won her re-election bid against no challengers but had this shot contested and stopped by Caleb Palacios. (L.A. Parker/The Trentonian)Trenton Mayor Reed Gusciora attempted scissor kick against Caleb Palacios. (L.A. Parker/The Trentonian)Show Caption1 of 8Mini-pitch at Unity Park is new home for Team America Trenton youth soccer players. (L.A. Parker/The Trentonian)Expand “It’s a dream come true. We’ve waited several years for this and we’re grateful to the city for sticking to their promise to make this field for our players,” said Jose Cabrera, creator of a soccer program that includes more than 400 youth. The program offers competition for players aged 5 through 16. “I’m pleased to inaugurate yet another park improvement. We’ve improved 26 parks thanks to the direction of Recreation Director Paul Harris,” Trenton Mayor Reed Gusciora said before a ribbon cutting produced smiles and squeals from excited youth. Harris expressed a, “goal to improve the quality of life for youth through enhancement of recreational facilities.” Unity Park upgrades include a new playground, mini-pitch, an eventual installation of a splash pad, and planned newly seeded grass surfaces throughout Unity Park. Plus, another mini-pitch will replace a baseball field nearby. The new surface will be open for public play although Team America Trenton receives special priority access.