By Erin Edwards
The Los Angeles Dodgers Foundation (LADF) is set to launch its latest Dodgers Dreamfields project at Jim Thorpe Park in Hawthorne. Dodgers Dreamfields are game-changers, revitalizing green spaces to help reenergize the community’s involvement in baseball and softball, while boosting the safety of local parks and providing a place where neighbors can gather, exercise, and play. Additionally, Dodgers Dreamfields are unique learning spaces that host education and health activities, meeting families in their neighborhoods.
The project at Jim Thorpe represents a significant advancement in providing quality baseball and softball fields to communities that need them most.
LADF in partnership with Lead Sponsors the City of Hawthorne and Kershaw’s Challenge along with sponsors LA84 Foundation and Security Benefit is investing $850,000 to refurbish two fields at Jim Thorpe Park. These fields, which will become the 64th and 65th Dodgers Dreamfields, will undergo extensive upgrades, including new fencing, customized signage, foul poles, dugouts, scoreboards, and infield renovations. These improvements are designed to enhance the playing experience and allow high school baseball games to be hosted at the park — offering a “major league” experience for youth in the surrounding area.
This project is particularly noteworthy as it revitalizes 50% of the City of Hawthorne’s public baseball/softball fields, providing local youth with a place they can take pride in. Currently, Hawthorne has a Park Need score of 4 out of 5, meaning there are a low number of baseball fields per one thousand residents. With over 1.6 million youth and adults already benefiting from access to a Dodgers Dreamfield in their neighborhoods, this will extend that opportunity to even more families.
To-date, we have invested nearly $20 million, building 63 Dodgers Dreamfields (including 2 Universally Accessible fields) and have plans to complete an additional 15 fields to commemorate the 75th anniversary of the Dodgers’ move to Los Angeles in 2033.
Opportunities for Community Involvement
Individuals and organizations are invited to contribute to this transformative project. Donations of $500 or more will not only support the renovation of these fields but will also secure an invitation to the exclusive unveiling event. In recognition of their support, contributors’ names will be displayed on a plaque at Jim Thorpe Park, commemorating their commitment to positive change in the community.
By supporting the Jim Thorpe Park Dodgers Dreamfields, donors play a crucial role in building a legacy of community pride and opportunity. This project underscores the importance of providing young Angelenos with safe spaces to engage in sports and develop a brighter future.
For more information and to contribute, visit Dodgers.com/DodgersDreamfields. Join us in making a Lasting Impact on Los Angeles!
Dodgers Dreamfields: A New Chapter at Jim Thorpe Park was originally published in Dodger Insider on Medium, where people are continuing the conversation by highlighting and responding to this story.