Ribbon Cutting Ceremony Planned for the Miracle Field of Urbandale, a Field for People of All Abilities

Urbandale, Iowa — In partnership with the Miracle League, the City of Urbandale is proud to announce the grand opening of the Urbandale Miracle Field at Northview Park. The public is invited to a ribbon cutting ceremony on Friday, May 4 at 5 p.m. at 4871 78th Street, Urbandale followed by an exhibition game at 6 p.m.

The Miracle Field features a custom-designed, cushioned, rubberized surface that can accommodate wheelchairs and other assistive devices, allowing persons with mental and physical disabilities the opportunity to play baseball. New additions to the Miracle Field include an accessible parking lot, spectator bleachers, dugouts, team benches, lights and a scoreboard. The field is part of a phased project to add barrier-free park amenities in Urbandale for individuals with mental and physical disabilities. In the future, a unique, all-inclusive playground will be added near the field to assure that children with special needs are able to play in a safe space.

“This baseball field, with its rubberized surface, will enhance the recreational experience for all participants,” said Jan Herke, Director of Urbandale Parks & Recreation. “We are excited to showcase this beautiful new field which is located in the Little League Complex at Northview Park, and to be able to provide accessible recreation opportunities for individuals living with disabilities in the Western Suburbs.”

The Miracle Field will serve as the home base for all Urbandale Miracle League games for the 2018 season, with the first game kicking off on April 29.

“We have been a part of Miracle League for several years now, and we can personally speak to the fun and benefits it brings—the joy it brings to their faces is a wonderful thing,” said Larry City of Urbandale Evans, parent of Miracle League players. “If you are involved in Miracle League, your life will be enhanced by it, no matter what role you play. You can’t help but smile when you are a part of it.”

The Miracle League Field project was made possible with the support of the Urbandale City Council and the Polk County Board of Supervisors. The Miracle League Fundraising committee received many generous donations from individuals, groups and businesses—raising the $1.4 million to cover the cost of the project.

Data indicates that there are nearly 20,000 children and 22,000 adults in the Greater Des Moines area who are challenged with special needs. This highlights the growing need for continued development of recreational opportunities for children and adults who cannot currently participate in regular sports programs and leagues that are popularly offered in communities throughout the Des Moines Metro.

About The Miracle League

The Miracle League removes the barriers that keep children with mental and physical disabilities off the baseball field and lets them experience the joy of America’s favorite pastime. Since the main barriers for these adults arise from the natural grass fields used in conventional leagues, Miracle League teams play on a custom-designed, rubberized turf field that accommodates wheelchairs and other assertive devices while helping to prevent injuries.

For more information about the Miracle Field of Urbandale, or to volunteer or play, contact Urbandale Parks & Recreation at 515-278-3963, email park-rec@urbandale.org, or visit www.urbandale.org/MiracleLeague or www.facebook.com/UrbandaleParksAndRec.