Redmond North Little League will host the Jackson Roos Memorial Field plaque unveiling and “Heading for Home” ceremony at 4 p.m. on Oct. 4 at Redmond Ridge Park.
State Sen. Andy Hill and King County Council Member Kathy Lambert are scheduled to attend, along with representatives of King County Parks & Recreation and the Washington State Recreation & Conservation Office.
The event will kick off the construction phase of Redmond North Little League’s “Renovate the Ridge” campaign, which has raised $1.7 million to replace the park’s dirt fields with all-weather synthetic turf playing surfaces.
“We want to invite the public to see the progress we’re making and to say thanks to our many volunteers, civic leaders, and Little League families for their support,” said J.D. Klein, president, Redmond North Little League. “They are our home field advantage.”
The ceremony will feature the unveiling of a plaque to commemorate Jackson Roos, the Redmond North Little Leaguer who died from injuries sustained in an accident at his home on Sept. 26, 2012. Redmond North Little League has dedicated the baseball diamond at Redmond Ridge Park “Jackson Roos Memorial Field” to honor Jackson’s kindness, competitive spirit and love of baseball.
Located at 22915 N.E. Alder Crest Drive, Redmond Ridge Park is the official home field of Redmond North Little League and serves approximately 30,000 residents in the Union Hill/Novelty Hill area. Because there is only one baseball diamond, and it’s often unplayable in wet weather, the league must rely on facilities outside the community to host games and practices.
“The new turf surfaces will mean that hundreds of kids and their families can use their neighborhood park all year round,” Klein said. “They’ll be able to spend time outside at the field instead of in the car traveling. Staying in the area will also help local businesses and the Redmond Ridge economy.”
Work is expected to begin in October to install a turf infield for the baseball diamond and a multi-sport turf surface for the large field that will accommodate two Little League or softball diamonds and a full-sized field for soccer and lacrosse.
The project received a combination of private donations and grants from the state’s Recreation & Conservation Funding Board and the county’s Community Partnership and Grants (CPG) program.
“The leadership we received from Sen. Hill, Council Member Kathy Lambert, King County Parks & Recreation and the state Recreation & Conservation Office helped us reach our fundraising goals,” Klein said. “They have been instrumental in our success.”
Redmond North Little League’s “Renovate the Ridge” campaign will continue to raise funds for park amenities. Field renovation is expected to be complete by spring 2014.
“If you’re a Redmond North Little League family, you think you might be one some day, or you’re a supporter of youth athletics and our community parks, we hope you’ll join us at our ‘Heading for Home’ celebration,” Klein said. “It’s been a team effort all the way.”
