Dodgers News: Dodgers Foundation Launches New Fields for Local Youth at Jim Thorpe Park

The Los Angeles Dodgers Foundation (LADF) has officially begun construction on two new baseball fields at Jim Thorpe Park in Hawthorne. This initiative, part of the Dodgers Dreamfields program, aims to provide safe and quality spaces for youth baseball and softball players.

The project represents an $850,000 investment that will enhance recreational opportunities for local children aged 5 to 12, as well as high school players. The groundbreaking ceremony featured key figures from the Dodgers organization, local government, and community leaders, all emphasizing the importance of creating accessible sports facilities for youth.

The upgrades at Jim Thorpe Park will include new fencing, customized signage, foul poles, renovated dugouts, and two scoreboards. The fields will also feature improved infield mix, fresh sod, refurbished backstops, and a new bullpen. This development is crucial for the Hawthorne community, where only 1% of land is currently allocated for parks and recreation. The new fields will serve over 24,000 local youth, providing them with valuable opportunities for sports and personal development.

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This effort aligns with LADF's long-term goal of enhancing community infrastructure across Los Angeles. Since its inception in 2003, the foundation has invested more than $20 million into refurbishing 63 Dodgers Dreamfields, aiming to reach a total of 75 by 2033. The completion of these new fields will further support the foundation’s mission to create lasting positive impacts in the community.