Mobile, Ala.: The Gulf Coast Resource Conservation and Development Council presented a $15,000 grant to the Miracle League of West Mobile: Schmidt Family Park on Dec. 1. The park, which includes a baseball field and playground designed for children with disabilities, is operated by the Mobile County School System.

The RC&D Council, which serves Baldwin, Mobile, and Escambia Counties and the Poarch Band of Creek Indians, specializes in environmental, conservation, and community development grants. The Council has been a generous supporter of the park, with grant distributions exceeding $37,000.

Donnie Brown, representing the Schmidt-Barton family, was among the officials who attended the presentation. Other community leaders on hand were Charlie Ramsey, executive director of the RC&D Council; Eddie Kerr, chair of the Council; Craig Hall, Renae Barren and Randy Shaneyfelt, who serve on the Council’s board of directors; State Sen. Jack Williams; State Rep. Mark Shirey; Mobile County Sheriff Paul Burch; and Brad Lowell, MCPSS Athletic Director.

MCPSS officials dedicated the park in October 2024. The baseball field and playground is located off of Johnson Road, about two miles southwest of the intersection of Airport Boulevard and Snow Road. The baseball field features a synthetic rubberized turf that accommodates wheelchairs and other assistive devices, and also helps prevent injuries. The field has double-wide lanes, allowing the players more space as they round the bases.

The park is open to the public from 2:30 to 5:30 p.m. Monday-Friday and from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday and Sunday. For more information, please visit the park’s Facebook page: https://link.edgepilot.com/s/4fc76b29/a9MK28UEHUWnbno6WoWY8Q?u=https://www.facebook.com/miracleleagueofwestmobile/ .