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More than 3,500 children with special needs between the ages of 5 and 15 live in Polk, Boone, Dallas and Story counties and more than 800 attend Ankeny Community Schools. Today, there is a lack of recreational facilities to meet the needs of our young special needs population as accessible playgrounds and the ability to participate in sports leagues are virtually non-existent.

Since 2007, Ankeny Parks & Recreation and the Ankeny Kiwanis Club have partnered to offer “Super Kids,” a series of programs designed for our special needs community. We’ve joined together again to create and construct a Miracle Field & All-Inclusive Playground facility specifically designed for children with disabilities. The Miracle League Field & All-Inclusive Playground will be co-located in Hawkeye Park in Ankeny and will provide children with special needs and their families:

• A non-competitive co-ed baseball league
• A custom field made of cushioned, rubberized turf that is flat and free from obstacles
• A network of “Buddies” to teach, assist and protect players during play
• A 100% accessible playground on a rubberized surface
• A playground that focuses on maximum “play value” with an emphasis on inclusive play
• A sensory rich playground experience catering to kids with physical, cognitive and sensory disabilities