Roper Miracle Field - The Miracle League

In 2016, a small group of concerned citizens, the City of Douglas, and the Board of Education officials held a meeting that would impact the lives of all children in Douglas and Coffee County. The city embarked on a plan to build an area in Douglas that would serve all citizens. City officials had bigger dreams than just a Miracle Field at the Davis Wade Park location. What began as a vision of the late Commissioner Johnnie Lee Roper to have a baseball field for special needs children in Douglas evolved into a revitalized park for generations to come. With the passage of SPLOST 2017, plans were drawn up, revised, and finally implemented in 2021 for the Davis Wade Park capital improvement project.

The COVID-19 pandemic slowed construction plans somewhat; however, by September 2021, the Miracle Field began to take shape. The new year brought more visible transformations at Davis Wade Park. The Miracle Field received its foundation in preparation for the specialized flooring that would be installed to allow accessibility for games on the field. In February 2022, lighting, dugouts, and fencing appeared at the Miracle Field. By April 30, 2022, Homer, the Miracle League Mascot, was placed at the entrance of the Miracle Field, and the field was complete.

Donations from local citizens, Premium Waters, ESG Operations, Waste Industries, Southwire, Douglas Lions Club, and more private donors contributed to raising over $38,000 for the Miracle Field. Without community support, the dream of a Miracle Field would not have ignited the spark for a park for everyone in Coffee County and the surrounding counties to enjoy. Special thanks to everyone who contributed to making the Davis Wade Park Improvements project another great success story for Douglas and Coffee County.