City of Mishawaka breaks ground on fully inclusive Miracle League Park

On September 24 at 4 p.m., community leaders gathered for the official groundbreaking of Mishawaka Miracle League Park, located in Normain Heights. While the announcement of any new recreational space is enough to excite a local community, Mishawaka Miracle League Park brings with it extra cause for celebration as it is a fully inclusive park, designed with disabilities in mind.

“Today, we are doing more than turning dirt. Today, we are turning dreams into reality. Today, we are changing the mindset of ‘what if’ to ‘I can,’” said Mishawaka Parks and Recreation Superintendent Phil Blasko. “Children and adults with disabilities, along with their families, have had to watch from the sidelines — not because of lack of talent, not because of lack of heart — but because the fields, the playgrounds, the parks weren’t built with them in mind. Today, I am proud to announce that no one will be left on the sidelines or in the dugouts in Mishawaka!”

“We got to thinking, ‘Well, gosh, let’s design a park around that, and have a very specific place where we can celebrate all kinds of activities,’” added Mishawaka Mayor Dave Wood. “This one is highly unique – first of its kind – that we know of in the state of Indiana. I couldn’t be more excited about it. We had a donor who stepped up and started a conversation with us about this park about three years ago. At first we didn’t have any of the funding, but this is the first park in Mishawaka where most of the park expenses and construction have been contributed by donors, so that is great.”

Even before its completion, Mishawaka Miracle League Park brought people together with community leaders and children alike picking up their shovels to break ground on the project.

“This park, our program, is a regional situation,” said Dick Pfeil, committee member. “There’s 80,000 handicapped people in a 50 mile radius of this park, so we’re setting up a baseball field so all ages can participate in the sport. We hope to have great things happen to them here.”

Featuring Pfeil Miracle Field, Lilli’s Playground, sensory areas, an interactive play structure, a splash pad, pavilions, and restrooms, the park’s ample amenities will provide the perfect place for people of all abilities to enjoy.

“There’s a splash pad, an inclusive playground, and the ball diamond itself. I just think the opportunity in the whole park, no matter what phase it is, is to bring people together to have fun,” said Special Olympics Indiana Northwest Regional Director Barb Michalos.

This project will be completed thanks to the combined efforts of The Miracle League of Northern Indiana, Mishawaka Parks and Recreation Foundation, and the City of Mishawaka, as well as the Capital Campaign Committee: Committee Chair Dick Pfeil, Bill Pemberton, Phil Blasko, Barb Michalos, Char & Dean Speicher, Barb & Reg Wagle, and Yvonne Teeter.

“My two oldest children have handicaps,” said Pfeil. “They’ve taught me more than I’ll ever teach them about not just handicap people and their difficulties, but also their great spirit and how they perceive and go ahead with great things. That, as a family background, got me interested in the whole subject.”

Following the groundbreaking ceremony at Normain Heights Park, attendees enjoyed a campaign reception, complete with hors d’oeuvres and refreshments, nearby at Ironworks Event Center at 5 p.m.

For more information about Mishawaka Miracle League Park and various developments in Mishawaka’s parks, visit the City of Mishawaka Parks and Recreation’s website at the link here.