Handicapped-accessible ‘Field of Hope’ still needs more money

By JOHN MUNFORD
jmunford@TheCitizenNews.com

Fund-raising for the Field of Hope, a handicapped-accessible baseball field under construction in Peachtree City, is entering the home stretch, according to organizer Nick Harris.

The program was recently boosted by a $60,000 donation from Ronald McDonald Charities of Atlanta and $27,000 from the Delta Pilots Association, Harris said. Even smaller donations, like a recent $600 check from the St. Andrew’s in the Pines Episcopal Church, are helping make progress, Harris said.

An estimated $80,000 is still needed, and Harris is confident the need will be met. He hopes to have enough left over to build an all-accessible playground on the site and organizers are asking the city to build a second field nearby for Little League T-ball and an adult masters program. A second field would also allow the city to host the Special Olympics event here in the future, Harris said.

The total tab, including the second field, is at $720,000.

“It’s going to be a total facility,” Harris said. “We’re pretty excited.”

The field is located at the city’s baseball and soccer complex on Ga. Highway 74 South. The curbing has been put in place and workers this week have been focusing on laying the asphalt where the field’s surface will be.

The field will feature a rubberized surface so youths in wheelchairs and walkers can play without hindrance.

“It looks like a baseball field now,” Harris said Wednesday.

Opening day for the facility is set for Saturday, April 17.

Anyone wishing to contribute funds can contribute at any Bank of Georgia location in Peachtree City to the attention of Jim Daughtry or by mailing Harris directly at 203 Kentwood Dr., Peachtree City, Ga. 30269.