Cal Ripken Sr. Foundation To Have A Stake In Adaptive Field In Vernon

VERNON, CT — The Cal Ripken Sr. Foundation and the Miracle League of Northern Connecticut Thursday announced a partnership to put the finishing touches on a project to build a regional adaptive youth sports venue in Vernon.

The national foundation will construct the park, assist in final fundraising efforts, and stay engaged through programming after the park is open, according to the announcement. The park has been designated for the campus of Northeast School off Route 30 in Vernon. To date, $550,000 of the $750,000 needed has been raised and the goal is to exceed that number to help cover operational and programming expenses after construction is complete, according to the announcement.

The park will accommodate baseball and softball programs as well as soccer and lacrosse.

The Miracle League Youth Development Park will be a custom-made cushioned, synthetic turf to help prevent injuries and include wheelchair-accessible dugouts and a flat, barrier free surface to provide accessibility for visually impaired players, players in wheelchairs or other assistive equipment.

There are roughly 270 adaptive fields across the country and two others in Connecticut (West Hartford and East Lyme). The park in Vernon, located 30 miles northeast of Hartford, will be a regional home to the Miracle League.

"We are thrilled to partner with the Cal Ripken, Sr. Foundation on this very important project. Having the respected Ripken name as well as their expertise when it comes to serving youth and building these amazing parks is game-changing for the Miracle League," said Steve Leibowitz who launched the project in 2019 with his wife Laurel. "The community has stepped up in a significant way to help make this dream a reality and now we are in the seventh inning and getting close to the victory."

The Cal Ripken, Sr. Foundation has a significant footprint in the State of Connecticut, having built 12 of its signature Youth Development Parks across the state. The Miracle Field will be its first adaptive park in the Constitution State. The organization has built nine parks in Bridgeport and three in Hartford.

Nationwide, the Ripken Foundation has been involved in the construction, opening and programming of 112 parks that provide youth safe places to play and learn with 22 of those being adaptive parks. This year the organization is on pace to add an additional eight to 10 more parks across the country.

Cal Ripken Sr. Foundation President Steve Salem said, "The work of the Miracle League of Northern Connecticut is inspiring and what Steve, Laurel and the rest of the community has done is remarkable. We are proud to partner with them to help bring this park to completion for the kids of Vernon and the surrounding area. We have seen firsthand the impact that our Youth Development Parks have on communities and over the years we have created deep ties to my home state of Connecticut that we are happy to see grow even stronger."