For
more information:
Denny Garkey, (815) 235-5318
Marilyn Smit, M45 Marketing Services, (815)
232-2121, x240
For
Immediate Release
LITTLE CUBS FIELD, REPLICA
OF WRIGLEY FIELD,
TO
BE BUILT IN READ PARK IN FREEPORT
FREEPORT, Ill. 25 August 2005
– Wrigley Field is coming to Freeport!
Or at least a version of it that will fit nicely
into a corner of Read Park. At a press event
today, Denny Garkey, president of the Build
Little Cubs Field board, announced that the
project has been included in the Read Park master
plan that was completed in spring 2005.
“Little Cubs Field will be a scaled-down
but highly accurate replica of Wrigley Field,
a National Historic Register site and arguably
one of the most distinctive baseball fields
in the world,” said Garkey. “The
field will be incorporated in the redesign of
Read Park and should be a wonderful attraction
for visitors to our area, which can contribute
to economic growth for the Freeport area. Of
course it could also be used for T-ball, 7-
and 8-year-old Little League (both boys and
girls), wiffle ball, kickball, birthday and
team parties, fundraisers, reunions or corporate
events.”
Garkey went on to say that the Build Little
Cubs Field board is planning to acquire most
of the funding for the project -- estimated
at $70,000-80,000 in materials and $140,000
in labor, although most of the labor is planned
to be donated -- through fund-raising efforts
outside of Freeport. “We have a lot of
contacts for celebrity Cubs fans as well as
organizations who are noted for their support
of ‘America’s Pastime,’”
said Garkey. We will be doing some fund-raising
in Freeport too, of course, but that will be
focused more on just giving everyone who would
like to be a part of the project the opportunity
to do so. In that regard, we have been encouraged
by the high levels of interest already being
shown by individuals and organizations who are
looking forward to donating their time to work
on the project and help actually build it.”
Garkey said that a number of in-kind contributions
have already been secured, and that the Freeport
Park District has been approached regarding
matching contributions for funds raised. All
those participating and contributing will be
recognized in future activities and press materials.
Ken Collin, Park District Commissioner, echoed
Garkey’s enthusiasm. “This is a
great opportunity for the Park District to be
involved in a project that we really believe
will help put Freeport on the map as a destination
for families, baseball fans and historic replica
buffs,” said Collin. “We’re
looking forward to working with the community
to bring it to life!”
The Build Little Cubs Field board was organized
over a year ago to spearhead the project, which
is envisioned as a very promising tourist attraction
for the Freeport area as well as “just
a spot in the park” where local families
can stop in for a little batting practice. In
summer of 2004, the board journeyed to Wrigley
Field in Chicago, where they met with Cubs and
Wrigley Field management to confirm those organizations’
cooperation with the project, and even secured
a cutting of the famous Wrigley Field ivy to
be planted at Little Cubs Field. Little Cubs
Field will be available for recreational programs,
community events, fundraisers, tournaments,
and corporate outings, and is even planned to
include a retail outlet to sell related merchandise.
The actual building of the replica is envisioned
as an activity similar to the Kids Kastle project
undertaken a number of years ago in Krape Park.
Garkey said that he anticipates that ground
for Little Cubs Field will be broken in 2006,
with completion in 2006 or 2007.
“We are very excited about this project,”
said Garkey. “When it is complete, there
will be nothing quite like it anywhere in the
world.”
For more information or to learn how to get
involved, please visit the Build Little Cubs
Field website at www.littlecubsfield.com.
If you’d like
more information about Little Cubs Field, please
contact us.
