The Appleton Parks and Recreation Committee approved a revised rental and fee policy for the city’s Miracle League accessible baseball field, adopting language that limits routine rental priority to nonprofit organizations while preserving the department’s ability to negotiate exceptions when warranted.
In discussion, members said the field is the city’s principal accessible diamond and that the department wanted to protect the recent capital investment. Director Gazza described the recent investment in the facility as substantial and said the intent behind the revised policy was to avoid opening the field to generalized private use that might risk damage. "The whole idea of trying to preserve that and protect it also... If it hasn't happened to this date, let's not, encourage it to happen in the future," Gazza said.
Committee members asked whether a private group could still hold a special event that included participants with disabilities; Gazza said the department would negotiate and could make exceptions for groups with a demonstrated need.
Outcome: The committee approved the revised Miracle League field rental and fee schedule by voice vote, 5–0.