Rotary Club accepts $100K donation for accessible ball field

The Rotary Club of Springfield North has received a $100,000 grant from the Wal-Mart Foundation. The funds will be used for the construction of a baseball and softball field accessible for disabled children and young adults.

Under guidelines established by the Miracle League Association, the field will have a special playing surface allowing easy access for wheelchairs, individuals using walkers or anyone who finds it difficult to walk due to health issues or blindness.

"The Wal-Mart Foundation is dedicated to making a positive impact on the communities we serve," said Wal-Mart Market Manager Skip Tinney in a news release. "We're excited our contribution will help build a field that serves children and young adults in the Springfield area."

Three groups - The Rotary Club of Springfield North, Community Foundation of the Ozarks and the Springfield-Greene County Park Board - are partnering to build the field, which will be in the new Dan Kinney Park on Blackman Road in southeast Springfield.

Walton Construction Co. will manage construction of the field, which is scheduled for completion next summer. The Springfield-Greene County Park Board will administer use of the field.

The Rotary Club's support of the field is in line with the 2008-09 Rotary International theme, Make Dreams Real.

"We believe this field will be a major step toward that goal for children and young adults who have disabling health conditions by giving them a chance to play baseball and softball on a field built just for them," said Rotary Club of Springfield North's Joe Stokes in the release.

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