Dozens gathered at a Johnstown park today
Some expressing concern for changes coming as a new Miracle League Baseball Field is set to be put in that park.
Officials involved with the project say they intended to address those concerns and dispel what they called misinformation.
In a couple of years this spot in Johnstown’s Roxbury Park is set to be a Miracle League Field
Giving more opportunities to people with disabilities.
The project has raised some concerns from local residents
But after a meeting on Monday with locals and City Officials some people say their nerves are calming.
The plan has been unanimously passed by City Council.
Officials involved in the process say the nearest Miracle League Field is nearly an hour away.
“People travel for this, so having one in Johnstown and having one closer to home for people is going to be great. Not to mention that when the actual field itself is not being used by the miracle league it could be used by others. It will be a great asset for the park, a great asset for the community, and not just that but it will bring people to the city.”
But the Miracle League Field is just the beginning of the changes coming to Roxbury Park including more parking space.
Clark says the blue recycling bins beside the park will be moved to another location and that a 52 space parking lot will be added in an open area of the park.
But that lot created concerns from some residents about the future of Roxbury Park.
“I’m the one that basically kicked it off. I saw a story on Facebook and was concerned about how much space the parking lot was going to take up.”
City officials say the entire project will take up just over two and a half acres of land in the park and nearly 90 percent of Roxbury Park will not be changed.
“I feel a whole lot better. I think this has been well thought through. It’s not as bad as the pictures portrayed it to be as far as the parking is concerned and I think we can all live with what’s going to happen. I think it’s a great plan and a great thing to come here.”
Officials add that adding restrooms is also part of the plan as well as solving some other issues.
“Problems with drainage, which was taken care of, we’re going to have two retaining ponds. A lot of the aesthetics we’ve worked with. Roxbury is not going to be harmed in any way, it’s going to be enhanced.”
Barb Zablotney with the United Spinal Association who’s in a wheelchair herself says the changes in accessibility coming are exciting
Especially for children with disabilities.
“Their disability isn’t what disables them, what disables them is societies lack of inclusion and being able to make an inclusive environment for them. This is going to be an asset to our community.”
And officials say this project is expected to take about two more years to complete and it’s unlikely that any changes will be seen to Roxbury Park in 2025.