Calcara Park is now a field of dreams for young kids enrolled in Detroit Police Athletic League (PAL) youth baseball programs.
Last year PAL received a $25,000 Grand Slam Grant from Comerica Bank to renovate the field, located at Charlevoix St. and Ellery St. The completion of the park was announced by the bank at recent the Detroit Tigers Winter Caravan stop at the Comerica Michigan Market Headquarters.
Comerica did more than just pass out dollars. Volunteers from the bank joined members of PAL and the Detroit Police Department to kick off the renovation in October by cleaning and painting the backstop. Throughout the fall additional improvements took place including removing the grass that was in the infield and replacing it with a new infield, as well as adding benches and protective fencing.
“We have deep roots in Detroit and it’s an honor to support the efforts of our police officers, who protect our city and find time to volunteer as coaches and mentors to PAL athletes,” says Michael T. Ritchie, president, Comerica Bank-Michigan. “We hope Calcara Park is a new field of dreams for PAL and our city’s youth. This project is a great example of what can be achieved by working together to improve our community and enhancing lives through the love of baseball is something we can all be proud of.”
Kids enrolled in PAL youth baseball programs will take on Detroit police officers in a special ballgame Saturday, May 13 to celebrate the completion of the field and kickoff the 2017 PAL season. Comerica and PAL are inviting the neighborhood community to join them in the celebration and watch the game.
“Detroit PAL is a character building program striving to channel kids’ energy into positive activities like sports,” says Jay Alexander, manager of philanthropic strategic partnerships for Detroit PAL. “Baseball is a big part of our program and safe, quality fields are paramount for player participation and the success of the program. We are incredibly grateful for Comerica helping to add another safe field to promote youth baseball opportunities in Detroit.”
The Calcara Park baseball diamond will be utilized for Detroit PAL’s T-ball and coach pitch programs.
Calcara Park and the adjacent Ross-Hill Academy grounds were also the site of a community makeover project by Comerica Bank volunteers and neighbors from the surrounding community last year. Ross-Hill Academy, along with children from the surrounding community, will have access to play on the diamond throughout the year.
