On Tuesday, Sept. 13, city leaders gathered to break ground at Estuary Park, eight acres of land that will become a sports haven on the city’s West End. This project includes a youth baseball field, a synthetic regulation-size athletic field, as well as restrooms, a concession building and group picnic areas. 

Recreation and Park Department Director Amy Wooldridge said that the major funding for the project came from the Alameda Housing Authority that contributed $1 million for the project. East Bay Regional Park District Measure WW funds added $500,000 to the funding, while Catellus, who is developing nearby Alameda Landing, provided $400,000.

Phase One of the project will include Challenger Field, a place where adults and children with mental and physical challenges can recreate. Clayton Woo, who runs the Challenger Division for Alameda Little League, said that he was looking forward to his special-needs players taking advantage of the new field at Estuary Park. Little League International established the division to enable boys and girls with physical and mental challenges to enjoy the game of baseball. 

Wooldridge had special thanks for Roberta Rockwell, president of the Alameda East Bay Miracle League. 

In 2014 Rockwell approached the city with a plea to build a baseball field where all children, regardless of their disabilities could enjoy participating in sports. Rockwell pointed to the 300 youngsters in Alameda “with physical and developmental challenges significant enough to precluded them from accessing our fields and parks and from playing on our local teams.” 

The creation of Challenger Field at Estuary Park will provide these special children with the place they deserve, a place they can call their own, a place they can play ball.