Mako soccer, a beloved volunteer program in our community educates and engages about 600 of our local youth. We must remember, that's 600 kids off the streets, learning valuable skills, staying fit, and growing into capable young people in a safe and constructive space, which is our soccer field. The positive impact of this program cannot be overstated. However, the presence of a festival is disrupting our kids' access to this vital learning and playing area a dedicated soccer field. If unchecked, this interference could jeopardize the Mako program's continuation, threaten the well-being of our children, and strip our community of a cherished institution.

Relocating the festival to another city park or site is a win-win solution. It will preserve the Mako soccer program and its numerous benefits, while also allowing the festival and its festivities to continue unobstructed. It's worth noting that numerous studies, such as those by the Aspen Institute, highlight the importance of sports in fostering teamwork, resilience, communication, and healthy habits amongst our children - clearly demonstrating why we need to act. We urge the festival organizers and relevant authorities to hear our plea: let the kids of Mako play soccer and move the festival to another location. Sign this petition to make the decision-makers understand the importance of this matter.