Multi-Purpose Field First of Multiple Development Parks Planned for Baltimore City
BALTIMORE, Md. – The Cal Ripken, Sr. Foundation broke ground at home plate today on a youth development park atthe site of Memorial Stadium.This is the first of multiple parks that are planned for Baltimore City. The Ripken Foundation, in partnership with the Y of Central Maryland, raised $1.5 Million for the project, which intends to serve as a model for other multi-purpose sports synthetic surface fields planned for Baltimore City, as well as other cities around the United States.
This initiative is part of the Cal Ripken, Sr. Foundation’s “Swing for the Future” campaign, which was developed to provide at-risk youth in urban neighborhoods safe places to play and learn.The Foundation partners with local communities and organizations in each city it will be building these facilities in.The goal is to develop several unique, multi-purpose, low maintenance facilities that will provide a cohesive recreational and educational experience for underserved young people across the United States.
The first field to be developed for Baltimore City will be constructed at 900 East 33rd Street, the site of Memorial Stadium which opened in 1920 and closed at the end of the NFL regular season on December 14, 1997.The project is in partnership with the Y of Central Maryland, which opened at the site in 2005 and is the State’s largest YMCA facility.
“This magnificent project will serve as our flagship site for all future Cal Ripken, Sr. Foundation parks throughout the country,” said Steve Salem, Executive Director of the Cal Ripken, Sr. Foundation.“We have received tremendous support from the state and the city of Baltimore, as well as a number of significant corporate partners. Without their support we would not be here today. The fact that we successfully raised these funds during such a difficult economic time is not only a testament to what Bill, Cal and the Ripken Foundation stands for, but also to the wonderful community and residents of Baltimore”.
When the project is completed the Y of Central Maryland will manage and maintain the property.The Cal Ripken, Sr. Foundation will continue to utilize the field and implement character education programming and clinics, including Badges for Baseball, a multi-faceted mentoring program that partners with local law enforcement as coaches and mentors to at-risk youth.
“We are delighted to partner with the Cal Ripken, Sr. Foundation, and Bill and Cal Ripken, to bring back the joy of sports and community to the former Memorial Stadium field site,” said John Hoey, President and CEO of the Y of Central Maryland. “There’s no one better that we could team up with than a foundation that espouses and exemplifies the same set of core values as the Y. Adding the Cal Ripken, Sr. Field at the Y to the assets already available at the Harry and Jeanette Weinberg Family Center Y at Stadium Place means that the children and youth of Baltimore have a wonderful and productive place to learn, grow and play all in one place.” Along with supporting The Cal Ripken, Sr. Foundation’s baseball and softball themed programs, each Youth Development Park will aim to encourage and support physical fitness activities for the entire community by including features such as a running/walking track and multiple exercise/character education stations that will deliver a Cal Ripken, Sr. message about leadership, respect, and teamwork.The sites will also be equipped with picnic pavilions and play areas for younger children.
About the Cal Ripken, Sr. Foundation
The Cal Ripken, Sr. Foundation uses baseball and softball themed programs to help build character and teach critical life lessons to disadvantaged youth residing in America’s most distressed communities.Founded in 2001 by members of the Ripken family in memory of their patriarch Cal, Sr., the Foundation works to create programs that positively impact disadvantaged youth through active community partnerships with America’s most successful youth service organizations.
