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Home My WebLink About01 18 2023 PLAY Miracle FIeld ProposalMiracle League Prior Lake Proposal Every Child Deserves A Chance To Play 1 Introduction / bio Drew Koenig – Interim Director P.L.A.Y. Miracle League miracleleague@playinfo.org Prior Lake/Savage resident since 2008 P.L.A.Y. participant since 2013 (kindergarten) Son, now 14 yr. old freshman ‘aged-out’ Baseball, Basketball, Football P.L.A.Y. Travel Baseball Director 2020-2022 P.L.A.Y. Manager Baseball Operations & Umpires 2023-Present Daughter, 9 yrs. old, with special needs 2 Miracle League Mission Provide opportunities for children with disabilities to play Miracle League baseball, regardless of their abilities. Promote community support and sponsorship of Miracle Leagues. Promote the construction of special facilities that meet the unique needs of Miracle League players and their families. We cannot change or cure the medical issues life has dealt children with disabilities. What we can do is provide them with an opportunity to experience the joy and benefits that come from playing our National pastime–baseball. 3 Fields Of play 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. Miracle League teams play on a custom-designed, rubberized turf field that accommodates wheelchairs and other assertive devices while helping to prevent injuries. 4 Playground Miracle League not only provides sports activities but also updated, safe, accessible playgrounds for everyone. 5 Miracle Leagues In The Metro There are multiple Miracle League Fields across the metro and the state Lakeville, Eden Prairie, Chaska, Minnetonka, St. Cloud, Rochester, Mankato, Woodbury, and more… Some associations have 130+ players and 12 teams participating each year Travel program has approx. 300 players, 25+ teams. There are currently no Miracle League fields in the southwest metro “south of the river” The two closest are Lakeville and Eden Prairie That may seem close but not as easily accessible on a regular basis for some Out of range for communities further south 6 Miracle League To Prior Lake Proposal to bring a Miracle League field/facility to Prior Lake/SW Metro The program would service Prior Lake, Savage, Shakopee, Burnsville, Apple Valley, New Prague and the surrounding areas Ages 3-19 for baseball activities Potential for more use with creative ideas: Elderly League Kickball Adaptive Basketball Toddler T-Ball 7 How to create a field In Prior Lake There are two options to bring a Miracle League field to an area: Build one from scratch Acquire land and build one from the ground up New facilities, infrastructure, etc… Convert one Take an underutilized field with pre-existing layouts and convert it Prior Lake has two options for a conversion – The small practice fields at Ponds or Thomas Ryan parks 8 Where, Ponds? Retro-fit the existing, underutilized, practice field Ponds playground upgrade project already in progress Pre-existing facilities to support the activities 9 Ponds Review A high and close retaining wall, that needs significant repairs, not ideal around east/south side of the field Field configuration would need to be reversed, home plate and dugouts on the other side Room around the field is limited and constrained for spectators and growth New paths would need to be built to meet grading requirements from the concessions and upper parking Overall park use is near max. capacity for most high use days for parking and accessibility 10 Where, Ryan? Retro-fit the existing, underutilized, practice field Upgrade the nearby playground to more modern, accessible/adaptive facilities Additional landscaping and new paths as well 11 Ryan Baseball field is an under-utilized practice field Playground is older can be upgraded Field is in ideal configuration Greenspace around the field can be easily converted to a larger spectator area, pavilion, room for larger wagons, wheelchairs, room to spread out. Level grade access from parking Easy access to restroom facilities and concessions Can convert without impacting surrounding baseball or soccer fields Recommendation is Thomas Ryan is the location for the Miracle League Field 12 Pros and cons 13 Approach Retro-fit the field Add spectator space, blacktop, spectator area concrete New paths extending from concessions to the field Field would be enclosed by a fence and locked (standard) No lighting in Phase 1 All modifications would be in direct proximity to the field Batting cage would be moved/removed No loss or modifications of other existing playing areas (baseball/soccer) Convert the playground to an adaptive facility with upgraded components 14 How The Miracle League would be included under Prior Lake Athletics For Youth (P.L.A.Y.) P.L.A.Y. voted to accept the addition of the sport on 9/18/22 Leverage the existing 503.1c for fundraising under the P.L.A.Y. brand and can begin immediately All finances will be P.L.A.Y./Miracle League Board managed 15 Finances The Miracle League project will be 100% self sufficient through community support Outside of the request to use/purpose the land, the Miracle League will not require any city funds/tax dollars/resources for any part of the program This includes: Construction Maintenance/Repairs Running the program Depending on the field’s permanent location the estimated cost for completion, with a playground, is $1.5-$2 million target fundraising Field only will be estimated $800,000 - $1 million (with pre-existing conversion) A net-new location will require re-evaluation 16 Future Program A new Miracle League board will be created Comparable associations’ research shows this could bring in up to 150 new players into the program. Players will be returning as the league will service ages 3-19 It will not follow the traditional grade-based participation. The program would not interfere with other sport activities, field space, scheduling etc. Parking is not anticipated to be a problem, under-parked most weekdays, schedule is fully self-contained (no external season) No geographic limitations, open to anyone There will be cooperation with other associations to direct players to their local fields 17 Timeline P.L.A.Y. approval to join – P.L.A.Y. voted to accept 9/18/22 Prior Lake City Council Proposal – 1/18/23 City Council Approval to proceed Bring on board members, form a project team, project plans, architecture Fundraising begins Marketing to the communities Construction – (field and/or playground will be separate projects, field priority) Potentially begin Fall 2023 Tentative start for activities – Spring/Summer 2025 18 Thank you 19 Questions? Every Child Deserves A Chance To Play 20