The Ripken Foundation has broke ground on a new adaptive Youth Development Park in Green, Ohio in partnership with the City of Green. Expected to be completed by the end of 2024, this new adaptive sports field located at Kleckner Park uses specifically designed synthetic turf to provide barrier-free access to children with mobility issues.
The field will be home to the Green Baseball & Softball Federation Challenger program and the Green Soccer Association GOAL (Green Organized Adaptive League) program for children with disabilities, as well as adaptive programs throughout Summit and Stark counties.
Among the ground breaking attendees was Ohio Mayor Rocco Yeargin, who shared is excitement for this project. "I can't wait to see the faces of the kids when we throw out the first pitch next year," said Yeargin. "As a baseball player myself, it's exciting and rewarding to share this game with individuals of all abilities."
Supported by donations from First Energy Foundation, Group 1001, the State of Ohio, Cavanaugh Building Corp., Alpine Landscaping, and JMP Resources, Yeargin also expressed his appreciation for the generosity of these organizations. "Having more than 90% of the cost of construction donated by groundbreaking along with our partnership with the Cal Ripken, Sr. Foundation makes this project a grand slam," said Yeargin.
Read more about this project in Akron.com's new article here. To learn more about the Ripken Foundation's Youth Development Park initiative, click here.