Norwalk pairs kids with officers for annual FootGolf tournament

Norwalk's Kids and Cops Footgolf Tournament paired local youth with Los Angeles County Sheriff's deputies and Norwalk Public Safety officers in foursomes at 7:30 a.m. Wednesday, June 24. The event also appeared on the Public Safety, Recreation and Park Services, and Social Services calendars as part of a June lineup that included a World Cup Fan Zone Community Watch Party, Dive-In Movie Night, an ice cream social and other family activities.

Norwalk organized the tournament to introduce youth to their law enforcement team in a collaborative setting, with officers presented as people who support and protect the community rather than figures to fear. The sport mixes soccer and golf, the rules are easy to grasp, and the round lets children and officers spend time together without the formality of a classroom visit or an enforcement encounter.

Norwalk Recreation and Park Services runs the city's recreational programs and manages its 12 parks. The city's youth sports offerings serve ages 5 through 13 and emphasize teamwork, sportsmanship and fun. For registration and information, contact the Norwalk Arts & Sports Complex at 13000 Clarkdale Ave. in Norwalk, or 562-929-5566 and recsports@norwalkca.gov.

FootGolf is played with minimal supervision and depends on player integrity and respect for the rules. The sport can introduce youth and others to golf courses and create new daytime use for facilities. Modern FootGolf began in the Netherlands in 2008, and the international federation formed in 2012.