$100K Grant to Help Fund Barrier-Free Baseball Field in Midland

The City of Midland Parks and Recreation has received a $100,000 grant from the Midland Area Community Foundation to be used toward construction of the city’s barrier-free baseball field in Central Park. The Midland Miracle Field will be designed as a poured rubber, barrier-free surface to provide a safe, fully-accessible place for children with physical or cognitive disabilities to play baseball.

Once completed, the field will be home to the Middle of the Mitt Miracle League, with spring and fall leagues open to players from all Michigan communities. Miracle League players are partnered with an on-field buddy to help with fundamentals and assist during the game.

In addition to baseball games, the field will also host events and activities for all members of the community.

Construction of the field and parking lot areas is scheduled to start in the spring of 2020. A second phase to include restrooms, concessions, a clubhouse and park shelters will start in the fall of 2020 or spring of 2021, as funds are available. Total cost of the project is estimated at $1.6 million, including a $100,000 endowment fund for future maintenance needs.