In August of 2022, an idea took the first steps to become a reality, bringing a Miracle League field to service the southwest metro area. Joining the other fields in the metro and expanding the coverage and extending the opportunities to a very special community of players and families.
The first step was to figure out how the program would be run. Prior Lake Athletics for Youth was the only logical choice. With 50 years of experience running youth sports, adding the Miracle League offering into their programs was a perfect spot. In September of 2022 the P.L.A.Y. Executive Board voted to allow the program to be part of the P.L.A.Y. family.
Next was to find a place for the field. There were two options, find a new location and build from scratch or take something existing and upgrade it. The latter was the direction that would get the project completed more efficiently. After reviewing a few locations, it was decided that Thomas Ryan Memorial Park would be the new targeted home for the Miracle League field.
In January of 2023 the Prior Lake city council and mayor were presented with the project and an agreement was made to proceed forward. This project will be community supported and no tax dollars were or will be requested for the completion or operation of the league.
In Feb. 2023 an architecture firm was engaged to complete the full design.
The next steps are further meetings with city officials through the planning phases, begin fundraising efforts, build out the Miracle League board of directors and program officers, engage construction crews and get building.
If all goes as planned this field will be ready for use in the Summer of 2024.
Updates
The practice field in the northwest corner of the baseball fields at Thomas Ryan Memorial Park is the targeted location for the field. In addition the playground will be upgraded to a current, adaptive area. New fencing, large dugouts, concrete spectator area with extended paths from the concessions/restrooms building and more will be part of the uplift.