Mishawaka breaks ground on inclusive Miracle League Park at Normain Heights

A fully-inclusive park designed to serve individuals of all abilities is taking shape at Normain Heights, at the intersection of Main and McKinley in Mishawaka. City officials and partners expect to open the Region’s most comprehensive Miracle League facility by July 2026. 

“Our mission is to provide individuals of all abilities the opportunity to experience the joy of baseball in a safe, inclusive and accessible environment through community partnerships, dedicated volunteers and supporters,” said Barb Michalos, Regional Director for Special Olympics Indiana and Board Member for the Miracle League of Northern Indiana. “We strive to build a place where everyone belongs both on and off the field.”  

The $5.2 million complex at Normain Heights features the Pfeil Miracle League field, a traditional diamond, Lily’s Playground, and a Schwartz-Wiekamp Family Foundation splash pad. To remove barriers for individuals with disabilities, the design includes a Braille wall, an interactive arch, and an AAC communication board for nonverbal guests. Future phases will add a sensory garden and basketball court to the fully accessible site.

“Over the past decade, the administration has invested in quality of life with inclusion at the forefront,” said Phillip Blasko, Mishawaka Parks and Recreation Superintendent. “Miracle Park will ensure everyone feels welcome on an entirely new level. This one-of-a-kind park will break down barriers and create a space where children and adults can play, connect, and thrive, regardless of their physical, sensory, or intellectual abilities.”

Philanthropist Dick Pfeil launched the project over a decade ago, drawing from his family’s experience with cerebral palsy and the mission of the national Miracle League. When Mishawaka began planning park improvements, Pfeil contributed the initial $1 million to ensure the design evolved into a fully inclusive complex rather than a standard baseball field.

“I think there are Miracle League parks across the country that have accessible playgrounds, but ours is going to be unique in the fact we are incorporating so many things, like the Braille wall and the communication board,” said Char Speicher, member the Board of the Mishawaka Parks and Recreation Foundation and Secretary for the Board for the Miracle League of Northern Indiana. 

The Miracle League Park at Normain Heights will serve families across 26 Northern Indiana counties, including more than 81,000 residents in the St. Joseph, Marshall, Kosciusko, and Elkhart areas. Its location along U.S. 20, McKinley and Main, and expects to draw participants from as far as the Ohio and Illinois borders. The National Miracle League has already expressed interest in hosting a future All-Star event at the site, potentially as early as 2028.

“We are going to be throughout Northern Indiana because we know that families will travel as far as an hour away to have their loved one participate in one of the leagues,” Speicher said. “Our mission is to help spread the word to other communities that this is going to exist.”

Guided by a philosophy of inclusion, the park will foster social engagement and long-term relationships by connecting athletes with volunteer “buddies” and building supportive family networks. Through this focus on teamwork and community, the park lives out its tagline: “Together, We Make Miracles Happen.”

“What makes this park such a gem is that, at its heart, it remains a neighborhood park designed to serve our residents,” Blasko said. “The thoughtful design encourages a natural flow that allows visitors of all abilities to connect—whether on the splash pad, playground, or ball field. We are excited to see how people will build connections and grow within this space, made possible by its flexibility and inclusive design.”

The Miracle League aims to host two seasons each year, with six or seven games per season, totaling roughly 12-14 league games annually. The schedule will be designed to provide consistent opportunities for other community and partner events. 

“It is really looking at that social change to allow individuals with disabilities to have fun and to contribute to our community,” Michalos said. “I think that ripple effect goes even further than we are aware of.”

The Miracle League Park at Normain Heights is in a final funding push through grants and private donations for its projected July opening. Following a ribbon-cutting and open house, league sign-ups will begin for the inaugural games scheduled for late August or early September. Volunteers and donors can find more information at miracleleaguenin.org or by calling (574) 315-4727.

For additional information regarding Miracle League of Northern Indiana, visit drive.google.com/file/d/1NazFbNMVxieIv1jwWIKkgWx5-l-4r4aq/view.