Moraga's Field of Dreams Under Way at Camino Pablo Elementary School

A groundbreaking ceremony took place Friday at Camino Pablo Elementary school. Dignitaries from the local park district, Town Council, parks and recreation committee and kids celebrated the field that will be built over the summer. The field will be built using a grant from Measure WW. No town or school district funds are required.

Beverly Lane, president of board of the East Bay Regional Park District, explained it best: “Measure WW passed two and half years ago, with 71 percent of the vote creating the bond. Twenty-five percent of the funds went back for local use to improve fields, rebuild veterans halls and fund other local projects.”

Harry Crouch, who was on the "Field of Dreams Committee" pushing for the new field, said the day was the culmination of a vision that began more than a year ago.

“...we got together and looked at all the fields in Moraga — regardless of ownership -- to see where it made the most sense to apply for funds,” he said. "We wanted to target Joaquin Moraga’s field, but that was too expensive. We also looked at Rancho Laguna, but that was too expensive. The field at Camino Pablo Elementary is unusable, with such an uneven terrain that it’s unsafe for use as a practice field. In addition, the field has such poor drainage that it’s too wet to use for up to four days after any rain."

The fields at Camino Pablo also could be fixed with the approximately $870,000 provided by Measure WW. The project is estimated to cost $600,000 and will begin June 13. Remaining funds are being held as a hedge against unexpected construction issues, given the age of field.

“The major work will occur over the summer and the fields should be playable by November,” said Bruce Burns, superintendent of the Moraga School District.