Thanks to community support for a project made possible through Eling’s Park’s Swing for the Million! fundraising campaign, the park will hold a groundbreaking ceremony for the renovation of the Castagnola Softball Complex playing fields.

The public is invited to attend the celebration, 9:30 a.m. Thursday, May 28 at Castagnola Softball Complex at Elings Park. Coffee and light refreshments will be available starting at 9:30 a.m..

“Thanks to the incredible generosity of players, families, teams, donors,and supporters in the Santa Barbara community, Elings Park surpassed its $200,000 fundraising goal, unlocking a transformational $1 million challenge gift dedicated to the renovation of the three softball fields,” organizers said.

Planned improvements include laser leveling of the grass fields, soil amending, upgraded irrigation systems, and warning tracks surrounding the outfields.

All are designed to provide safer, higher-quality playing conditions for the thousands of youth and adult athletes who use the complex each year, organizers said. No herbicides will be used in the removal of the existing turf.

“This wonderful day of celebration is something we have looked forward to for many years,” said Bruce Giffin, Park Board vice president, and head of the Elings Park Infrastructure Campaign (EPIC!), “And our entire community came through to help us reach this point.”

“In my nearly 30 years associated with Elings Park, I cannot recall a  moment when I was more proud of the park and the community we serve. The goals we reached together will provide local ball players with a best-in-class experience for years to come.”
 
The groundbreaking ceremony will include remarks from Park leadership, campaign supporters, and members of the softball community, followed by a ceremonial first pitch to officially launch the project.

Elings Park is the largest nonprofit public park in America supported solely by community donations.

Built on the site of the former Santa Barbara City landfill, it took more than 20 years to complete. The park opened in 1985 and today offers 230 spectacular hilltop acres with panoramic mountain and ocean views.

Visit elingspark.org or contact 805-569-5611 ext. 105 for more.