A local donor has stepped up to the plate with a $1 million pledge to help Elings Park renovate the three playing fields at its Castagnola Softball Complex.

Total cost of the extensive upgrades is $1.2 million, which includes a complete transformation of the fields and outfields.
 
The gift is contingent upon the park raising the additional $200,000 by May 1, from field users, community members, and organizations who want to support the popular complex that hosts thousands of youth and adult athletes year ’round.

Upgrades will include laser leveling of the grass fields, soil amending, new/more efficient irrigation, and warning tracks around the outfields. No herbicides will be used in the removal of existing turf.

The work will take place over the summer and will be completed by the end of October.
 
“A way to move forward with these much-needed improvements has been in our sights for some time,” said Bruce Giffin, Park Board vice president, and head of the Elings Park Infrastructure Campaign (EPIC!) to rebuild, refurbish, modernize, and strengthen the facilities at the 41-year-old hilltop treasure.

“This amazing donation represents a once-in-a-generation, game-changing opportunity to elevate and maintain our fields at a level which will provide our players with a best-in-class experience for years to come,” Giffin said.
 
To support the fundraising need, the Park has installed banners and a “progress thermometer” on the grounds, created a dedicated landing page on its website with a donations link, and launched a social media campaign featuring its softball players.

Park staff are meeting regularly with local softball teams to assist them with their community outreach.
 
“We are over-the-top thrilled with what this support can mean for the future of ballplayers in Santa Barbara,” said Giffin. “But we need the community’s help to raise the $200,000 required to receive this gift. We invite our wonderful community members to take their own Swing for the Million and help us knock this out of the park.”

For more, visit elingspark.org or call 805-569-5611 ext. 101.