Park leaders present candidate sites; inclusion baseball diamond fundraising could top $650,000

Parks officials and community partners updated the commission on plans for an inclusion baseball diamond. At a recent meeting with parks staff, designers presented three site options: one was too small, a second was recommended for near-term development with an anticipated fundraising target around $650,000, and a third, larger site with parking and restrooms would require $1.5–1.6 million.

Staff said the Rotary Club will lead fundraising for the project but cautioned that maintenance responsibility falls to the parks department, which will add long-term budget pressure. Commissioners asked for a recommended location by the July meeting so donors can be shown site plans before fundraising begins.

Why it matters: An inclusion diamond would expand recreational access for users with differing abilities but requires substantial fundraising and adds recurrent maintenance obligations for county parks.

What’s next: Parks staff will continue vetting sites, work with designers to produce refined layouts for donors, and bring a recommended location back to the commission in July.