City Worker Destroys Youth Soccer League's Goalposts
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DALLAS (CBSDFW.COM) - Ripped apart and tossed into a nearby creek, kids in an East Dallas youth soccer league are unable to play their matches after a city worker was seen destroying the goalposts the league owns.
"I had no emotions. I was speechless," said Rosa Elizondo, the manager of the Youth Latin America Soccer League.
Elizondo said she walked up to find a City of Dallas Park and Recreation worker dismantling and throwing away the goalposts the league owns at Lake Highlands Park.
"With the parents, I felt like I was letting them down," said Elizondo.
In a video Elizondo and her husband captured, the city worker can be heard telling the couple they were previously told to remove the goalposts.
Elizondo and others in the league said they were given no such notice and for years have always had to provide soccer goalposts in a field that does not have any goalposts.
"What was in his mind? Don't (sic) he have any kids? Grandkids? I mean come on. You don't do it to me, you do it to the kids," said Erick Elizondo, a referee and parent of a player.
A city spokesperson released the following statement:
"Dallas Park and Recreation Department works tirelessly to provide a high-level of service to our patrons. The Park and Recreation Department regrets any interruption or impact to participants of the Youth Latin American Soccer Association and we are working diligently to begin installation of new goals tomorrow at Lake Highlands Park. The Park Department had to remove the unauthorized goals on park property; however, staff will be installing new goals that meet our standards. We are committed to offering quality parks and athletic fields for citizens and visitors of all ages to enjoy," wrote Andrea Hawkins, a city spokesperson.
Elizondo still does not understand why anyone from the city would throw away goalposts and toss them into a creek.
"I want them replaced, not just for me, but for our community. We're not doing anything wrong," said Elizondo.
The city would not comment on the status of the employee and said it was a personal matter.
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