Miracle Park- Rock Hill, SC

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Miracle Park

 Rationale:
Rock Hill’s Parks, Recreation, and Tourism (PRT) Department provides children and adults who are disabled with opportunities to participate in activities including: Bocce, Cooking Classes, Disc Golf, Kayaking, etc. Despite this robust programming, the community felt that there needed to be a physical space dedicated to special populations.

Goal:

• Create a miracle field—a baseball field designed for people with special needs.

Project Summary:
Rock Hill has worked with special needs populations to offer specialized programming – however they have never had a dedicated facility specifically designed to meet their needs. Through a collaborative effort with community partners, the city is building Miracle Park, this all-inclusive park will give residents with all different abilities an opportunity to play and work locally.

The Rock Hill community has had robust programming for special populations for decades. Though being proud of this work, members of the community felt that the next step needed to enhance the city’s offerings is through a physical space dedicated specifically for special populations. The city was approached by residents and representatives from Max Abilities about a miracle field. Miracle fields provide a baseball field specifically designed for people with special needs. However, through the course of engagement efforts with families, recipients of services through Max Abilities, and those who support their work, the idea of a miracle field expanded to a vision of a full miracle park for those with special needs.

When fully built out, this 15-acre park will include two miracle baseball fields, two multi-purpose fields, playground, walking trails, shelters, golf area, fishing pond, and a café/retail component to provide employment opportunities for special needs individuals.

This transformative project has broad buy-in from community partners across the greater York County community, including several businesses, community organizations, and a cross-section of individual residents who have volunteered time and money. Additionally, Winthrop University and the city agreed to donate the site to Max Abilities. The remaining $6 million needed to be raised for the project is being fundraised. The community has been very supportive of this effort; $3.4 million has been raised in the first year and a half of fundraising. The City of Rock Hill has also earmarked $550,000 to pay for new restrooms and parking.

Phase 1 of Miracle Park is expected to be completed by the end of 2020 which will consist of the first Miracle Field along with the Playground. The total Timeline for full completion is 3-4 Years. 

Engagement Strategies:

• The project catalyst was a request from a diverse group of residents and stakeholders.
• Engagement efforts included families, individuals with special needs and other relevant stakeholders.
• Community partners are collaborating to raise necessary funds.

Outcomes:

• $3.4 million raised in the first year and a half of fundraising.
• The city earmarked $550,000.
• The leases for the donated land have been signed. 

Additional Resources:
Rock Hill, SC- 2019 AAC Winner: Presentation 

Local Contacts:
Alice Davis
Max Abilities Board Member
Director of Foundation and Community Support for Williams and Fudge
(803) 493-4257
adavis@wfcorp.com

Garnet McKeown
Recreation Division Supervisor
Rock Hill Parks, Recreation and Tourism
(803) 329-5658
garnet.mckeown@cityofrockhill.com