Riverside Miracle Diamond facility underway

By Zander Kelly

Work is underway at the Farrow Riverside Miracle Park.

The former home of Riverside Arena will feature two fully accessible baseball diamonds, a playground, washrooms and a track, with “work-out stations” such as balancing beams and leg squatting equipment.

The project was inspired by the Miracle Park in Amherstburg, which has been popular since it opened in 2010.

The site, located at 6695 Wyandotte St. E., is along bus routes and close to several schools.

The Riverside Minor Baseball Association proposed the park to City Council last year.

Former association president Bill Kell has been with the organization for about 38 years and has spent the past three years helping to ensure this project’s success.

“The age range (of players) will range from five years old to young adults,” said Kell. “There will be some adults who are physically and cognitively challenged.”

The baseball diamonds will have a surface of three cm of EPDM rubber, a material also used for hoses and electrical insulation, on top of asphalt. This synthetic rubber makes for a non-slip, spongy surface to lessen injury after falls.

The Farrow Riverside Miracle Park is expected to be completed next spring, with the baseball diamond opening next summer.