NEWS

Gov. Henry McMaster and U.S. Rep. Ralph Norman (R-5th) were on hand Wednesday to dedicate Miracle Park in Rock Hill. The Miracle Park project is the first of its kind in the United States – an outdoor recreation center built specifically to accommodate visitors of all abilities.

Dubbed the most inclusive public project in the city’s history, Miracle Park will feature two softball/baseball fields, a fishing pond, and other recreational sites between Cherry Road and Eden Terrace.

McMaster called the project “a beacon of how strong and great the people of South Carolina are” during his speech at the site Wednesday.

Warren Norman and John Gettys join Business Rock Hill to highlight the groundbreaking of Miracle Park in Rock Hill.

Sullivan Foundation partner school Winthrop University has signed an historic agreement that will allow the construction of a 15-acre park for people of all ages and abilities to play and work, the university recently announced. Called Miracle Park, it’s a public/private project between the university, the city of Rock Hill, S.C., and the York County Disabilities Foundation. The city and Winthrop are providing the land through a low-cost, long-term lease for the park location on Cherry Road.

Developers said Miracle Park promises to bring the joys of recreation to those who might need it most—South Carolinians with mobility challenges, developmental disabilities, and other special needs. The park, when completely built out, will include two Miracle fields, two multi-purpose fields, a special needs playground, and a café that will employ people with disabilities.

ROCK HILL—Rock Hill and York County are stepping into a league of their own and the local Knights are doing their part to contribute.

Miracle Park, a project designed for special needs children and adults with disabilities, received a $600 donation from Knights of Columbus Council 6756 to help their endeavors. The park, the first of its kind in South Carolina, will feature two multi-purpose fields, a playground, and retail space. Groundbreaking is expected to take place in the fall with an anticipated opening in the Spring of 2020.

Fundraising for the project’s first phase began in the spring and the Knights were quick to respond.

“We have a number of charitable projects that we support,” said Ray Howard, Grand Knight. Miracle Park is one that resonated with the group and its connections to Special Olympics.

Rock Hill has worked with special needs populations to offer specialized programming – however they have never had a dedicated facility specifically designed to meet their needs. Through a collaborative effort with community partners, the city is building Miracle Park, this all-inclusive park will give residents with all different abilities an opportunity to play and work locally.

On Wednesday, about 150 participants broke ground on the $8 million Miracle Park in Rock Hill. By summer or fall of 2020, the first playground and playing fields will be open for use.

Rock Hill is a step closer to having a park where people of all abilities can play sports and enjoy time at the playground.

Mayor John Gettys, city staff and representatives of the York County Disabilities Foundation met at Winthrop University Friday to sign the lease for Miracle Park, a park designed for people with disabilities.

The land for the park is leased from the city of Rock Hill and Winthrop University, The Herald previously reported.

The park, between Cherry Road and Eden Terrace, will include two baseball fields designed for people of all abilities, multi-purpose fields and an inclusive playground, The Herald previously reported.

Government leaders from across South Carolina gathered Wednesday with Miracle Park organizers to break ground on the inclusive park and playground. Phase one of the park is expected to open next summer.

City, county and state leaders came together to break ground on the all-inclusive Miracle Park, Winthrop’s President Dan Mahony opening up on why he’s leaving the university, Coleman’s Trading Post business spotlight and Winthrop’s basketball games airing on ESPN channels.

In the video above, get your latest Tri-County news and entertainment!

ROCK HILL, S.C. (WBTV) – There was a miracle in Rock Hill on Wednesday just in time for Christmas – a groundbreaking for Miracle Park that is.

The official groundbreaking was held for the all-inclusive public facility which city leaders say will be the first of its kind in the nation.

“The legacy that comes from the effort that we see here today– the smiles on faces for families in Rock Hill and around this entire community– what a difference it makes,” said South Carolina Majority Leader Gary Simrill who represents York County.
Miracle park is a 15-acre, $8 million facility that has been more than two years in the making. Wednesday’s groundbreaking brought together the York County Disabilities Foundation, which is the nonprofit behind the park, Governor Henry McMaster, US representative Ralph Norman, SC Representative and Majority Leader Gary Simrill, Rock Hill Mayor John Gettys, leaders from Winthrop University and many others who have been working together to make the project happen.

ROCK HILL, S.C. – What’s now 15 acres of mostly dirt in Rock Hill will soon become the area’s only large-scale, inclusive sports park.
Miracle Park will be a unique place for athletes of all ages and abilities.
Josh Myers, 31, is a world gold medalist weightlifter in the Special Olympics.

On Wednesday, he stood with hundreds of others outside the Winthrop Coliseum, to help break ground on something he never imagined as a kid.
“I’m so excited for the opportunity for all kids,” Myers told the crowd, which included the state’s governor, a congressman and other dignitaries.

Patti Myers is Josh’s mother. She’s watched him grow up competing in Special Olympics and in the World Games last year. She’s also a special education teacher in Clover.
“We cannot wait for Miracle Park to be open,” she said. “This is a great opportunity for Rock Hill.”

The Gobble Wobble 5K Run/Walk and 8K Run is our largest fundraiser of the year. Last year we had over 600 participants and raised over $57,000 to give back to the community. This year all proceeds will go to Miracle Park Rock Hill, SC!

The non-profit organization Junior Welfare League of York County needs volunteers for our 5K/8K Gobble Wobble Race benefitting Miracle Park Rock Hill, SC on Saturday, November 17th.

YORK COUNTY, SC (WBTV) – Members of the York County Board of Disabilities Foundation announced Tuesday they have raised roughly half of the needed funds to construct what’s being called a “Miracle Park.”

Board members Warren Norman and David Williams started with the idea of building a Miracle Field in Rock Hill. A miracle field is a baseball field designed specifically for people with special needs. Then they took their idea a step further.

“There’s nothing like this, even close, in the United States,” Norman said.

The park, that’s being built at Winthrop Park off of Cherry Road, will include two Miracle Fields, two multi-purpose fields, a special needs playground, and a café that will employ people with disabilities.

A new league has formed in Rock Hill.

Leaders from Winthrop University and the city of Rock Hill have teamed up with a York County foundation to build a new sports park for athletes who often can’t join a sports team: children and adults with disabilities.

A new ‘world-class’ $6 million sports park is about to be built in the heart of Rock Hill.

Miracle Park will be the first of its kind for the Charlotte region – a park and sports facility specifically designed and built for children and adults with disabilities.

A non-profit organization in York County is trying to build a one of a kind outdoor park designed specifically with people with disabilities in mind.

The so-called Miracle Park is a dream of the York County Disabilities Foundation. Last week, the foundation presented the idea to Rock Hill’s City Council, pushing the project forward.