Committee adopts revised Miracle League field rental and fee schedule

The Appleton Parks and Recreation Committee voted to adopt a revised Miracle League field rental and fee schedule; the motion passed unanimously, 5-0.

Committee members said the Miracle League diamond is the city’s only accessible softball field and discussed limiting routine private rentals to nonprofit organizations to protect the facility. Alder Van Zeland asked whether the policy would block small private outings that include people with disabilities; Director Gaza said staff would negotiate on a case-by-case basis and could arrange exceptions where a group had a specific accessibility need.

Director Gaza also described recent investments in the field, saying the department had received more than $75,000 and that improvements may have exceeded that figure (he described it as “a couple of $100,000” but did not provide an exact amount). Committee members said the intent is to protect the facility’s primary mission while preserving flexibility for specific requests.

The committee approved the revised rental and fee schedule 5-0. The department will administer exceptions and negotiate terms where needed.