One of Rock Hill’s premier parks is about to grow. Here’s what you’ll see next
A park built for everyone needs plenty of space, and Rock Hill’s Miracle Park is getting more of it.
Miracle Park will break ground on its final development phases by the end of the year. A year or more of construction will add a large multi-sport field, a second Miracle League baseball field, a 2,600-square-foot education building for indoor programs, a fishing pond and more parking.
Miracle League is a baseball program where volunteer buddies join players in games designed for children who may not be able to play in traditional leagues. Games start next week with about 150 players signed up to play. Miracle Park and the Miracle League operate out of the city’s parks, recreation and tourism department.
The Miracle Park additions also include an 8,200 square feet of retail space at Cherry Road and Richmond Drive that will be used to train and employ workers of varying physical ability levels.
Those projects mean the park needs to raise $1.5 million in donations.
“It’s been in the works for a long time. But we’re finally at the point where we’ve pulled permits, have a budget and we’re ready to and get started,” said park executive director Kylie Carroll.
Miracle Park opened three years ago between Eden Terrace and Cherry Road, near Winthrop University. The $8 million park on 15 acres aimed to provide play space for all children, including those with physical or mental limitations.
The park also hosts concerts, fundraisers and sports events. It’s become a jewel for the city, and was key in Rock Hill earning All-America City status just prior to the park opening.
Today, the park has a Miracle League and a traditional baseball field, concession stands, sensory areas, a story walk and restrooms. The focal piece is an inclusive playground with a music area, equipment and games designed for all ability levels. So, for instance, play areas are designed to accommodate wheelchairs or have sensory pod spaces.
Miracle tournaments and events
At its peak in spring, Miracle Park can see up to 17,000 visitors per month. The spring baseball season had almost 200 players this year. New fields could grow those numbers.
A second baseball field would allow Miracle Park to host regional or national tournaments, like the ones they’ve sent all-star players to in recent years. Rock Hill has a storied history of attracting nationwide or even worldwide events, from BMX bike championships to disc golf to ESPN8: “The Ocho” sports programming.
Rock Hill, known in many areas as “Football City, USA” for the unusually high number of prep football stars it sends to the NFL, markets itself with a “Competition Lives Here” mantra.
“That’s exactly why we’re so excited and passionate,” Carroll said. “We have worldwide and nationwide events. Why not for folks with disabilities?”
The multipurpose sports field is another key piece.
It can break into four flag football sized fields, and will serve the city’s flag football program that’s similar to what Miracle League offers for baseball. The city could use that field to attract tournaments, from soccer to pickleball.
“If you play it on that field, we’re going to play it,” Carroll said.
When Miracle Park was still a dream, there weren’t many facilities like it in the region, Carroll said. Now they pop up regularly. Many communities have reached out to ask how Rock Hill did it, Carroll said. The city teams compete with similar leagues in Charlotte and elsewhere.
What’s made Miracle Park a success so far is, it isn’t just a place where people with limitations can play.
“It is a park for everyone,” Carroll said. “The message is finally getting there. The park is for every age and every ability.”
This story was originally published September 11, 2024 at 6:10 AM.
