DC Stoddert Soccer applauds the efforts of the Department of Parks and Recreation to explore private partnership to improve the condition of Jelleff. The acute shortage of accessible field space in the District of Columbia and the current fiscal pressures confronting the District government, require creative solutions and cooperation between the public and private sectors.  Ward 2 has long suffered from an extremely acute shortage of well maintained, safe, public playing fields, particularly for youth soccer.  For over 20 years, the Jelleff field has been the historic home to the more than 5,000 children who play in DC Stoddert Soccer.  The Maret joint venture  proposal will improve playing conditions at Jelleff and will enhance our ability to provide soccer playing opportunities for all the children across D.C. We look forward to having better field conditions for our children and to working with Maret and DPR to implement the project.