By Lamaur Stancil, originally published February 3, 2025 in the Post & Courier Rock Hill
ROCK HILL — It’s not just a place to play.
Rock Hill’s Miracle Park, featuring a playground, a baseball field and a general-use field, emphasizes the inclusion of children with disabilities who also want to participate.
On Jan. 31, city officials led a groundbreaking ceremony for the next phases of the 15-year park, which opened in 2021 as a joint effort among Rock Hill, Winthrop University and a slew of donors.
“It’s great to have an accessible park, but we also need a place where there’s community and belonging,” said Kylie Carroll, executive director for Miracle Park, located between Eden Terrace and Cherry Road, near Winthrop.
Miracle Park in Rock Hill; Lamaur Stancil/staff
Throughout York County, 2025 could be a transformative year for parks. In Fort Mill, the town is preparing to receive bids for a renovation plan for Walter Y. Elisha Park.
And the York County Parks and Recreation Department in January released its strategic plan for its facilities.
At Miracle, the Phase 2 plans include adding a second baseball field, a multi-purpose field for football and pickleball, a fishing pond and more parking.
Phase 3 will place a retail space at the corner of Cherry and Richmond Drive. That will be Miracle Coffee, where adults with disabilities will be trained to work. MaxAbilities of York County, a nonprofit agency that provides assistance to people with disabilities, will run the shop.
“There’s nothing like this anywhere in the U.S. of this magnitude, serving people with disabilities as its primary objective,” said real estate developer Warren Norman at the groundbreaking event.
Miracle Field, for example, is wheelchair accessible and has a rubberized surface with painted bases, designed for individuals with physical and cognitive challenges. The dugouts there are also wheelchair friendly.