September Grand Opening Likely For Miracle Field In Vernon

VERNON, CT — Construction on a specially designed and equipped athletic field for special needs athletes on the campus of Vernon's Northeast School is all but done and a grand opening is being planned for mid-September.

The goal was to finish the field by the Aug. 31 start of school.

As of this week, the field was down, the dugouts and benches were in, the fences and foul poles were up and the bleachers were finished.

Steve Leibowitz of the Miracle League of Northern Connecticut said a grand opening is being planned for next month.

The field at Northeast School is a joint project featuring the Miracle League, the town of Vernon, the Cal Ripkin Sr. Foundation and a host of local sponsors.

Vernon officials signed off on the use of Northeast School last June and in February, the Cal Ripken Sr. Foundation and the Miracle League of Northern Connecticut announced a partnership to put the finishing touches on the project.

More than $900,000 was raised for the field.

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

The park features a custom-made, cushioned, synthetic turf to help prevent injuries and includes wheelchair-accessible dugouts and a flat, barrier-free surface to provide accessibility for visually impaired players, players in wheelchairs and those using other assistive equipment.

There are roughly 270 adaptive fields across the country and two others in Connecticut (West Hartford and East Lyme).

Finishing touches on the parking lot and a few amenities are ongoing.