LINCOLN PARK — Students at Lincoln Park's Alcott Elementary are one step closer to playing on their own Field of Dreams thanks to a grant from the Chicago Cubs Charities.
Cubs Charities awarded the Friends of Alcott parent group $50,000 to help develop a baseball field at the school.
The neighborhood organizers behind the Field of Dreams project are trying to transform a neglected and often unplayable field into a place for students and community members to play.
Paul Biasco described the project on DNAinfo Radio:
"It's extremely significant," said Robin Fine, an Alcott parent who is leading the Field of Dreams project. "We are so grateful to Cubs Charities for supporting us."
Cubs Charities Diamond Project grant recipients will be recognized at Wrigley Field during a pregame ceremony Sept. 18.
A preliminary estimate of the project, which seeks to build an artificial turf field with a baseball diamond and running track, is about $850,000. The school is at 2625 N. Orchard St.
Parents have been raising the funds in chunks, inching toward the goal.
Ald. Michele Smith (43rd) has pledged to use some of her discretionary budget to help fund the project, and in the past stated she might be willing to give more than $300,000.
The Field of Dream organizers are waiting on word from the Illinois Environmental Protection Agency about a $750,000 grant they applied for that would likely help them reach their fundraising goal.
Fine said they expect to hear in the next few weeks.
"Once we find out yea or nay with the Illinois grant we will be able to regroup and figure out what our next steps our," she said. "Our fingers are crossed."
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