About Us
Play is one of the greatest gifts that children can receive and is critical to their growth and development. Children deserve the opportunity to experience playground equipment and feel the ping of the bat and the wind on their faces as they move from base to base during a ball game.With more than 180 fields in the United States serving 30,000 players, the Miracle League is a rapidly growing organization that caters to youth ages 5-18 who are unable to play in mainstream league due to a disability. They play on a field with a rubberized surface that is free of obstacles, has painted base lines and rules that emphasize participation with every child getting a turn “at bat” each inning with a volunteer “buddy” assisting all players.
An emerging trend is to co-locate the Miracle Field with a playground that is 100% inclusive. Landscape Structures, a leading playground company, is an established partner with Miracle League in developing all inclusive playgrounds with insight gained from the parents of children with special needs and the children themselves.
An emerging trend is to co-locate the Miracle Field with a playground that is 100% inclusive. Landscape Structures, a leading playground company, is an established partner with Miracle League in developing all inclusive playgrounds with insight gained from the parents of children with special needs and the children themselves.
The Project
More than 3,500 children with special needs between the ages of 5 and 15 live in Polk, Boone, Dallas and Story counties and more than 800 attend Ankeny Community Schools. Today, there is a lack of recreational facilities to meet the needs of our young special needs population as accessible playgrounds and the ability to participate in sports leagues are virtually non-existent.
Since 2007, Ankeny Parks & Recreation and the Ankeny Kiwanis Club have partnered to offer “Super Kids,” a series of programs designed for our special needs community. We’ve joined together again to create and construct a Miracle Field & All-Inclusive Playground facility specifically designed for children with disabilities. The Miracle League Field & All-Inclusive Playground will be co-located in Hawkeye Park in Ankeny and will provide children with special needs and their families:
Since 2007, Ankeny Parks & Recreation and the Ankeny Kiwanis Club have partnered to offer “Super Kids,” a series of programs designed for our special needs community. We’ve joined together again to create and construct a Miracle Field & All-Inclusive Playground facility specifically designed for children with disabilities. The Miracle League Field & All-Inclusive Playground will be co-located in Hawkeye Park in Ankeny and will provide children with special needs and their families:
- A non-competitive co-ed baseball league
- A custom field made of cushioned, rubberized turf that is flat and free from obstacles
- A network of “Buddies” to teach, assist and protect players during play
- A 100% accessible playground on a rubberized surface
- A playground that focuses on maximum “play value” with an emphasis on inclusive play
- A sensory rich playground experience catering to kids with physical, cognitive and sensory disabilities