Volunteers Field & Park, Carrick: Riota Way
Unless you or someone you know plays or coaches baseball, softball, or t-ball, you may not have been to Volunteers Field & Park. The name is somewhat misleading because while the space has several athletic fields, it doesn’t have a playground or other park facilities.
The Carrick Youth Athletic Association has actively used these “fields of dreams” for many years, but the area often suffered from nightmares. Those familiar with Saw Mill Run know how prone this area is to extreme flooding (and if you’re not, you’ll find plenty of online videos), which creates persistent muddy, bog-like conditions.
In 2021, PGH20 (aka PWSA) designed an environmentally friendly stormwater runoff solution and re-graded the playing fields. The end result combines heavy-duty drainage and native landscaping, which looks nice without being too fussy. Opening day festivities for CYAA are on Saturday, May 10. For the sake of everyone’s enjoyment, let’s hope the rain stays away.
PS: If your canine companion loves playing ball, visiting Volunteers outside of game times might be an ideal way to score some stray baseballs or softballs. I found four during my walk around!
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