Crowdfunding campaign launched for “Middle of the Mitt Miracle Field” in Midland

$50,000 goal to win matching grant through MEDC’s Public Spaces Community Places initiative

LANSING, Mich. – Midland will get its own Miracle Field through a new crowdfunding campaign, the Michigan Economic Development Corporation and city of Midland announced today. Miracle Fields are fully accessible, soft surfaced baseball field that will allow children and adults with special needs to enjoy the sport of baseball with help from a community buddy. The campaign is being offered through the Michigan-based crowdfunding platform Patronicity.

If the campaign reaches its crowdfunding goal of $50,000 by April 4, the project will win a matching grant with funds made possible by MEDC’s Public Spaces Community Places program. For project details and to donate, please visit: patronicity.com/mmf.

“This Miracle Field will enable people of all abilities to take part in community recreation. Making spaces that are accessible to all is a critical piece of emerging placemaking,” said MEDC Senior Vice President of Community Development Michele Wildman. “We are pleased to support this project through our Public Spaces Community Places program.”

Midland's Miracle Field will join other fields across Michigan that provide an opportunity for all families to enjoy baseball with others who share similar stories. In addition to the field being used for baseball, the Parks and Recreation Department expects to offer other community activities onsite such as movie nights, holiday-themed activities, yoga and veterans' programs. The city will partner with other agencies who provide services for children and adults with disabilities, offering the field for their use as well for special programs, outdoor activities, classroom programs and more.

“The city of Midland Is extremely honored and excited to receive a matching Patronicity grant from the MEDC. This grant will allow us the opportunity to complete the universally accessible restrooms at the Middle of the Mitt Miracle Field in Central Park,” said Marcie Post, Recreation Manager at Midland Parks and Recreation Department. “With the help of the MEDC, we are bringing miracles to Midland.”

Public Spaces Community Places is a collaborative effort of the MEDC, the Michigan Municipal League and Patronicity, in which local residents can use crowdfunding to be part of the development of strategic projects in their communities and be backed with a matching grant from MEDC. Communities, nonprofits and other business entities can apply at https://patronicity.com/puremichigan.

“Creating public spaces that are welcoming to people of all abilities is key to great placemaking,” said Dan Gilmartin, CEO and executive director of the Michigan Municipal League. “Midland’s Miracle Field will open up exciting, inclusive recreational opportunities for the community.”

The Public Spaces Community Places initiative started in 2014 with MEDC providing matched funding of up to $50,000 for community improvement projects throughout Michigan. As of Jan. 31, 2020, MEDC has provided nearly $7.3 million in matching grants. Since the launch of the program, 233 projects have been successful in reaching their goal, with $8.4 million raised from 43,159 individual donors.

About Michigan Economic Development Corporation (MEDC)

The Michigan Economic Development Corporation is the state’s marketing arm and lead advocate for business development, job awareness and community development with the focus on growing Michigan’s economy. For more information on the MEDC and our initiatives, visit www.MichiganBusiness.org. For Pure Michigan® tourism information, your trip begins at www.michigan.org. Join the conversation on: Facebook Instagram LinkedIn, and Twitter.