Eastlake receives 2018 Crown Communities award for Miracle Park
The City of Eastlake was recently awarded with one of six Crown Communities awards given nationwide by American City & County magazine.
Eastlake received a 2018 Crown Communities award for its Miracle Park, a baseball facility and playground designed for individuals with special needs, as part of the Miracle League of Lake County.
“It was just an honor,” said Mayor Dennis Morley. “Out of the whole United States they picked six communities and we were one.”
The Miracle League of Lake County held its first season in the Eastlake park last summer.
American City & County highlighted the history of the Miracle Park and its impact in a February report.
“One of the most innovative parts of the project was how it was funded,” Jason Axelrod, a writer with the magazine, stated in the report. “About $870,000 came from business sponsorships, foundation donations, county funds and the Ohio state capital budget.
“A combination of local sources funded the remaining $330,000. The city held several small fundraisers including an ongoing brick sale, and opened up bench sponsorships.”
The report also stated that the awards are given to local governments that have implemented the most “innovative and impactful projects over the past 18 months.”
Miracle League of Lake County Board President Judy Moran commented that the project had showed the dedication of the community.
“Not everybody can give you $175,000, but we’ve taken $5 donations from people who just wanted to give something help this project along,” Moran said in the report. “That’s how invested in this project the community is.”
When talking about the award and feeling honored, the mayor added, “Obviously we continue to be proud of the Miracle League.”
The Miracle League park held its first games on July 28, 2018, according to a previous News-Herald article.