Eastern Pennsylvania Youth Soccer proudly joined Rebuild Philadelphia, City officials, Philadelphia Parks & Recreation, and Live! Casino & Hotel Philadelphia to celebrate the grand reopening of the Lawrence E. Murphy Recreation Center in South Philadelphia.
As part of the $7.5 million renovation, a new mini-pitch and full-size synthetic athletic fields for soccer, baseball, softball, and football were installed. The upgrades significantly expand access to safe, high-quality playing spaces for youth in the area. Eastern Pennsylvania Youth Soccer supported the addition of the mini-pitch, aligning with its ongoing mission to bring the game to more communities across the region.
“It’s our mission to grow the game of soccer, and it’s our privilege to work with the City of Philadelphia to build these mini-pitches and create new safe spaces to play,” said Chris Branscome, Eastern Pennsylvania Youth Soccer CEO. “All children deserve to have well maintained and safe fields to play on. These fields will provide for great fun, fitness, and friendships.”
The upgraded Murphy Recreation Center now features synthetic turf fields, new basketball courts, improved lighting, and other enhancements—all designed to support youth development through sports.
Eastern Pennsylvania Youth Soccer is proud to support projects that make the game more accessible for every player. Fields like this one at the Murphy Recreation Center represent more than just a place to play —they are an investment in the future of the game and our communities.