Now thats' starting to look more like a Baseball field!

Jack Graham, a local volunteer and contributor to this project, installs some last minute irrigation trenches for us. Thank you Jack!

FIELDS ARE COMING AROUND!! (FINALLY)

The fields in Kuna are finally starting to take shape. All of this after much work and effort on the part of the city and volunteers from the KBPRC .

After a lot of effort was put in thru the summer and into the fall on the fields and sprinkler systems, the final grade was approached by the City of Kuna Parks Department along with some irrigation work that was also performed by the the City work force. The KBPRC's hats are off to the City of Kuna for their help and the contribution they made to the fields.

The KBPRC has been working tirelessly on this facility, and really needed the shot in the arm provided by the City. After the KBPRC installed the irrigation system and Dustin Ferdinand began the grading, the City workers provided some valves for the sprinklers and completed the grading in the park between the two fields. What a huge help that was! Thank you Bobby Withrow and his crew from the City Parks Dept.

The KBPRC was able to obtain the sod thanks to Cloverdale Nursery... and just like that... snap!! Great looking fields!

Much work is left to be done but should proceed in a manner that will provide a nice playing surface for the youth baseball in the spring.

With the sod installed, we now have just about everything ready to start the backstop installation - thanks to our sponsors.

After the backstops we will be putting in the pitchers mounds, final grade, and the flag pole.

Wish us luck or come and help us! (Either or both) but keep checking just the same. We aren't going anywhere, and we will keep right on working on this for the next three years (or more).

Thank you for your interest!

before

after

IRRIGATION BLUES...

Going over the plan with the new hires, Foreman Frank discusses disciplinary actions and pay cuts.

One sign says it all- irrigation blues...

Keep on rolling that pipe!!

Fall Irrigation Blues

You know, most people don't mess with irrigation projects in the fall, but we do. Saturday the 10th, we finally started on the irrigation installation in the cooler weather of October. We kept moving to stay warm and managed to lay down a lot of pipe. We would like to thank Kuna Lumber for their continued support of this project and helping us with the parts we needed for the sprinkler system. Some kids from the Kuna area showed up to help and they worked for awhile on it. I'll say that having these kids show up and help with this is what this project is all about. Loman, Brando, and Ben all worked helping to set pipe and dig trenches. After finishing the trenching, thanks to the Rental Connection in Kuna and putting in 1000' of pipe (we ran out) we decided it was time to call it a day and go home and watch football.

We still have a lot to do but will continue on through the week. We need more help, but hopefully we can get the sod in by next week. We have 1800' of pipe left to put in and 102 sprinklers. We have the tools but we need the people, so please come on out and give a hand.

If you live in the Kuna area and are familiar with sprinkler installations, we could use your help. There is still plenty to do, so if you are interested please contact us at walt.kbprc@dishmail.net

Right now we need a dump truck and a loader to bring in some top soil. This would be used for about ten loads - one way travel about three miles. If you can help with this, please let us know.

Thank you!

BACKSTOPS ARE HERE!

On Saturday we started welding the backstops together. At over thirty six feet, these backstops are going to be the tallest in little league baseball around the valley. They will be fitting into the overall safety plan for the park in an attempt to eliminate errant balls from flying into the crowds or out into the street - not to mention the opposite field during game times.

KBPRC members, Wil Douglas and Todd Lee, along with Jesse Hoseley, welded up the first stage of the 42' poles. These poles will be placed six feet in the ground and anchored in concrete. In the spring we will follow up with overhangs for even more protection.

Thank you to The Rental Connection in Kuna, Kuna Machine Shop, Home Depot in Meridian, Pacific Steel in Nampa, and PraxAir in Boise for their help with this project.

We have also began installing the four foot perimeter fence along Second Street. This will be done in stages. We have moved the fence back from Second Street in an attempt to increase safety at the park during games.

Pending Volunteer availability, all of this week there should be activity at the facility as we attempt to finish up the irrigation and the sod in time for the fall. We also plan to keep hauling dirt in to fill in the areas around the bases.

If you are a baseball coach or baseball parent and would like to help with any of these projects, please contact our Director at ... walt.kbprc@dishmail.net

If you are unable to help build, but would still like to participate in this community project, please contact us. We are going to be starting up fall meetings soon and we need new members to help with new ideas.

We could sure use the help!

WHAT A DIFFERENCE A DAY MAKES!

WOW!!

A lot of good people where on hand for this project and their help is greatly appreciated

Over 150 people showed up for the event and covered a lot of ground in a short time. In the background, as many as sixty people worked on the Grange and spruced it up. They painted fences, mowed weeds, cleaned up debris, and painted and scrubbed the interior of the building. Afterwards, the entire group was treated to a well deserved lunch. A big thanks goes to the youth of the community LDS church!

The LDS Youth and the KBPRC get to tearing out some fence along Second Street

When one tractor won't do it, better get a bigger tractor!

The local church community from the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints came out in force and really showed their stuff! On Saturday over 150 kids and young adults between the ages of 12 and 18, along with parents, came to the park and hit several projects very hard.

Many brought tools and different items needed to make improvements to the Grange and Park, along with heavy equipment donated by the Rental Connection in Kuna.

It didn't take long for progress to show, and what a difference their efforts made in a very short time. Members of the KBPRC, along with the Lion's Club, and Kuna Grange who were in attendance, were very impressed with the amount of work that was completed in very short order. It is amazing what can be accomplished by this many people with the same goal in mind.

We would like to thank all of the members of the LDS church and everyone from the different groups that attended including the Kuna Lion's Club and the Kuna Grange for their help. A very special thank you goes to Tracy Trautman for organizing and coordinating the entire event. Thank you Tracy, your efforts are an inspiration to all of us!

We would like to list all of the kids and adults from the church who participated as well but we do not have all of their names. I promise you we will post them as soon as we do. (Gonna be a looong list).

Click on photo below to see more pictures!

Kuna Baseball Park Redevelopment Committee

KUNA LION'S HUNT GOLF TOURNAMENT

Click on picture to enlarge

Richard Cardoza chips on... It's a great day for golf!!

Team 4 - Ian Brown, Christian Collert, Jeff Carter, and Rick McCoy

Ready?... On three we all chug!

Jacks thinking, "So... just what goof invented the ball washer?!"

HELPING OUT AND HAVING FUN!!

Some members of the KBPRC had a good time on Saturday, as our sponsor, Glenn Walker of Architecture Designs Plus, put together a team for the KBPRC to take to the Lion's Club Golf Tournament. Thanks to Glenn's resourcefulness, we were able to get a team together at the last minute.

A sincere thank you goes to Glenn Walker, Jim Coslett, Ian Brown, Rick McCoy, Christian Collert, and Jeff Carter.

Along with other good organizations, Jim Coslett of Rock Solid Civil LLC helped sponsor the tournament and the KBPRC added some help. The inaugural golf tournament, which was coordinated and directed by Courtney Russell, was a huge success. We can't wait until next year!!

For more information on this and other important Lion's Club events, please go to http://www.kunalions.org/

Here is a bunch of KBPRC faithful. Along with the Information Booth, we had the company of the Lion's Club, and the Census 2010. Everyone had fun!

The Lions Club raffle for a barbecue went real well. Everyone had fun selling tickets and the winning one went to a very hard working member of the Leo's Club.

Volunteer work can make you hungry!! These two guys stayed most of the day.

KBPRC COMMUNITY SERVICE IN KUNA

Dustin gets busy with the bark, singin "yeah I'm the man, I'm the Man"

We always knew the Director of the KBPRC marched to a different tune!

"What a mess you boys are making!" observes Councilman Cardoza of Kuna

KUNA "RAIN" DAYS !!

The KBPRC was at the Kuna Days Information Booth again this year, handing out information and helping out where they could. We met some great people and made some new friends along the way. All in all it was a pretty good outing - minus the rain.

The Kuna Days celebration got off to a soggy start on Friday the 7th. Kuna received low 50 degree temperatures and a down pour of 1.7 inches of rain fall in a matter of two days, thoroughly testing the wills of the volunteers and participants. After a lull in the weather, a fantastic fireworks display was put on for all of the people who braved the unusual climate conditions. You can't stop Lloyd Stubbs and his pyro-tech crew from putting on a good show!

Since it "never rains" during Kuna Days, the weather brought some unplanned conditions along with it. MUD, lots of mud. You could tube the show, or wade to your favorite vendor treat in the concession area. Finally, after some phone calls and help from our reliable friend and sponsor Dustin Ferdinand of Ridge Line Construction, Dustin quickly came to the aid of Kuna Days and brought in 12 yards of bark to control the muddy conditions. After spreading it with his skid steer, a lot of the vendors were happy to have their patrons back! We all owe Dustin a big thank you!

CLEAN UP TIME!!!

The "old land fill" in down town Kuna has been removed and regraded. This unsightly mess had been a landmark in the City Center for many years, and is now residing at a more appropriate location east of town. The improvements and grading were part of a clean up initiative by the Kuna Baseball Park Redevelopment Committee, and performed by Dustin Ferdinand of Ridge Line Construction with material donated by Quality Sand and Gravel.

Much of the clean up was in preparation of the planned grade work to be performed between Second Street and the baseball fields. The relocation of the old storage shed used by the baseball association in Kuna, will offer added convenience to the facility and allow easier access for coaches and kids involved in any field preparation.

Clean up will continue with some weed mowing and straightening of the Grange Hall fence line. Complimented by the addition of an entry ramp plus gravel along the new pathway to the shed, this should complete the project in time for spring rain and mud next year.

Thank you Ridge Line Construction!! ......... Thank you Quality Sand and Gravel!!

HOME DEPOT

"The Community Building Store"

The KBPRC would like to thank the Home Depot for their help in this project. At the Home Depot, they believe in more than being just another building in the community. They believe in building the community!

Improvements to be included in the concession building.

Following the site plan and layout of the concession building, we are having to make some adjustments to the original planned facility. When we planned out the concession building with storage and large concession area, we had planned on a division of 100' separating the 200' fields. This 100' would have been plenty to handle the requirements and design of the new park. We had been approved for the 100' by the City Council, and we felt comfortable knowing everything would fit nicely in this area.

Things have changed, and the concession draft shown earlier was actually the second design drawn with some good ideas in mind. However, having changed the new fields to a dimension of 225' has reduced our avenue between the two fields by fifty feet. This has created some new problems, and wanting to have as much room between the concession wall and the backstops, we have been forced to go back to the drawing board for yet another new design. At this point, I would like to thank Glenn Walker of Architecture Designs Plus, and all of the people who are involved in the design and changes being made to this facility. Thank you for your patience as we try to accommodate all of the organizations planning to use the ballpark complex.

In the new building design idea, we are now planning to omit the storage part of the facility. At the same time, we will be incorporating more concession room and food item storage, plus keeping the same ADA compliant restrooms. Score keeper shops (accessible only by stairs) will be installed at the top of the structure. This small second story will have omnidirectional microphones to pick up the sound from the umpires. A closed circuit phone from the dugouts will transmit information from the coaches to the score keepers. The only drawback, is the loss of the ADA accessibility to the shops. We simply have no other choice with the loss of the fifty feet in the avenue. Trying to build the structure within the fifty foot limit has put it in the right of way of Second Street, so it is back to the drawing board!

The unit storage will now be replaced with a completely separate structure located toward the west end of the facility. Details have not been finalized on this yet , but it appears this will be a far superior storage than the one originally planned.

Although the addition of a second story media type center will look good and add a touch of class to the facility, I personally liked the ADA compliant service offered by the old score keep shops. (Times are changing before we can even get them on the ground). There are pluses though. We will have more storage space in the concessions for sale items, and the ADA bathroom layout will not be affected. The additional space acquired by the separate storage building, will outweigh any inconvenience as the new building will incorporate storage means that is not a by-product of "convenient" space in the building.

At present, we are working on the code requirements for the restrooms and the concession area. These requirements are being reviewed and considered by several PUC entities. From power supply to sewer disposal, including shared trenching by water supply, gas, even cable TV. As you can see, we are working on many different angles in preparation of this building.

We would like to thank all of the people at Idaho Power who have helped with this part of the project, including Blake Watson, Eileen Vanderpoole, and Dave Stephens. Your support is very appreciated.

Also a big thanks to ACHD for their support and help in the logistics of organizing our efforts. Chanon Romo, Midge Kline, Tina Louie, Michelle White, Larry Zurek, Josh Sak, and Chance Heron. Your patience, time, and support, along with your professionalism, have been a great example of organized administration. Fantastic to work with!

Mike Reno and Bob Jue of Central District Health have played a part in the working of this facility, and we would like to thank them for their time.

Glenn Walker from Architecture Designs Plus, for coming up with idea after idea has been extremely helpful.

Of course the Civil Engineer has been involved in this, and we thank him for his help and support. Jim Coslett of Rock Solid Civil LLC. has been at every step of the way on this facility and has managed to keep this on track with an added (and much needed) sense of humor to it as well. Jim is a good guy, and we are glad to have him on board!

GOT VOLUNTEERS?

You want to know what extreme volunteers are? Just look around Kuna for the Hoseley family. Skip and Jesse Hoseley. I can't say enough about their efforts on this project.

Andrew Close, along with people like Garret Pig Farmer. They make anyone feel like they need to do more! Wil Douglas, he shows up everyday and works hard and grumpy to do whatever needs to be done. No kidding , these people show up every day and work from sun up to sun down. They bring equipment and knowledge to the job, plus they even pay their own way! UNBELIEVABLE -- Kuna owes these guys, they are Citizens of the Year!!

There is one set of people that rarely gets thanked for what they do-- that is the family of every volunteer. When volunteers are out working on projects, and their family is at home missing them, you can bet there is some strain from time to time. So we would like to thank all of the families who endure alongside of the volunteers in this community. Thank you, for your support!!

Sincerely,

The KBPRC

       

GET READY TO RUMMMBLLLE!!!!!

BEFORE

 

 AFTER

Wow!

What happened to all of those dirt piles? 

 Re-grading on the New Kuna Baseball Fields finally got up and rolling with some great determination from the volunteers involved in this endeavor! Trucks, backhoes, skid steers, and tractors could be heard rumbling through the park at all hours of the day and into the evening as hundreds of yards of dirt was transferred out of the park or into designated areas in the facility.

 After hiding behind an enormous steaming pile of dirt, the ADA project was "unearthed" after a six week delay. With the organic matter cooking in this particular pile, as soon as it was exposed to the air, it burst into flames!  Now that is some powerful good dirt! With the ADA ramp now ready for grading and paving, things will be moving again on that part of the project very soon. 

 The grading of the park is one that is being pursued in a fashion that will guarantee proper drainage, and also control the erosion that plagued the facility in the past. This procedure is being handled by some very dedicated people who are taking every precaution to insure it's success. We can't thank them enough for their support. You can find them there at the park, sometimes at seven o'clock in the morning and well into the evenings. The most amazing part? They have nothing to do with baseball or softball, just an awesome community giving spirit! 

 At the present time, we are concentrating on the infields and hope to have the settling and compaction completed by the Kuna Days celebration in August. The infields will be off limits to foot traffic during Kuna Days, but we are getting the outfields ready for the Kids Carnival and the fireworks display by Lloyd Stubbs. If this year is anything like last year's fireworks display, you better plan on being here for it! Great show ... well worth the trip to Kuna! 

 Following Kuna Days, we will begin some grading in the outfields to address the drainage limits and fill in the "valleys" that have created a poor playing surface. 

 This week, look for the construction of the "Avenue" between the two fields. This is going to create more dirt and more rummblllle!! We will be adding irrigation and some supply lines, plus relocating the water main in the park. 

 We have some new surprises in store with the park that promise to benefit Kuna for years to come! Look for more on that soon.

 I would like to thank everyone who emailed with suggestions for the concession building and the dugouts! Those are some cool ideas! Thank you very much! In response to this, the concession building is being changed a little (okay, a lot) and we will have the new plan here in a few weeks.

 Please look for the scaled site plan to be on display at the park real soon. We are hoping to have it in place by Kuna Days. If you are at Kuna Days, please stop by our booth in the vendor area and ask any questions or give us some more ideas! 

 Thank You!!      

     

NEW INFORMATION!! *** Posted 6/25


Following a rain and unavoidable mud delay lasting most of the entire last week, we are ready to get started on the project again. We are beginning the grading and movement of materials into the infield and avenue of the facility. *** This leveling and site work will take approximately three days beginning on Weds. 6/24. When completed, we can begin the installation of the infield sprinkler system and reattachment of the outfield water lines.


Submitted by C. Douglas


*** CORRECTION;
Site Grade will be delayed for one week. We said we would be grading and leveling this week but instead, we will be working on the infields plus the sprinkler system and getting the outfields watered. With the sudden heat wave, we need to address the grass drying up as quickly as possible. Look for grading to begin late next week.


For now we would like to acknowledge all of the people who have been helping this week to get the plan in the works. We especially want to thank all of the sponsors and people who have been instrumental in the alignment of this part of the project. You've got to have straight baselines and baseball fields! It is amazing what it takes to complete a project of this size accurately, but the list of participants goes as follows;


Great job by Steve Padoris and Aaron Bell of ACHD! They worked diligently on the topo and survey of the area, and their meticulous coverage of the park has been a huge help in the placement of all of the lines and points used in the accuracy of this facility.

Thank you Ada County Highway District. Your support to this project is one that surpasses commendable. Your continued efforts to make this a success, and the efforts and personnel you have supplied to this is amazing. Thank you


Chanon Romo
Midge Kline
Tina Louie
Michelle White
Josh Sak
Chance Herron.
Your commitment to this community is very appreciated!


Thank you to Jim Coslett, of Rock Solid Civil LLC for his invaluable help! Jim is the Civil Engineer on this project, and will have a precision scaled site plan for us soon. This draft will show all of the items we plan to install in the first phase, and will be posted here for your review.


A big acknowledgement goes to Mark Connelley, Mark is doing the final design on the park layout and his help is greatly appreciated. It is great to have so many professionals on board.


Much thanks goes to Bob Arnold for his geo tech soil analysis on this project. Thank you for the geo- tech support, and the love of baseball! Bob is a huge contributor to the sport of baseball here in the valley, and we are glad to have him on our team.


Thank you to Jesse Hoseley, Skip Hoseley, and Garret Pig Farmer. They have been awesome at contributing to this stage of the project, and all of the other stages for that matter! You can find Skip, Garret, or Jesse just about anytime working at the park or helping Walt with some form of destruction/construction work or offering good advice. Volunteers of this caliber are greatly needed and appreciated!


People like Dustin Ferdinand of Ridge Line Construction in Kuna deserve a good pat on the back for his contribution. Dustin has been at the site working to clear debris and material, plus setting lines and cutting out the infields. He has been there to help when needed, and always willing to volunteer for any hauling or other work that might be impossible without a dump truck and skid steer! Thank you Dustin- you da man!


Glenn Walker of Architecture Designs Plus in Boise has spent considerable time on the design of the dugouts, concession building, and other structures in the park. These structures are now ready to be put to the site plan.
Glenn has done more than just offering architectural services to this project. He has been instrumental in helping to line up other professional services and discussions concerning this park improvement, and believe me, we couldn't do this without him.
Thank you Glenn!


Robert St Michell of JUB Engineering brought up the dugout design and got it ready for the site plan. His time and work has been invaluable to insure a safe and well built structure for the kids who will be using all four dugouts in this facility.


We really appreciate the efforts of Tom South. South Landscape Architecture of Boise has been preparing the layout of the sprinkler system and design of water usage on the fields. Tom's knowledge of these systems has been a huge help.


We also want to thank Joe Stear of Kuna Machine Shop for the contribution of the handrails for the ADA ramp. They have them done and ready to be installed. We will be back on that part of the project as soon as we have the infields set up and being watered. Please check back for more details on that soon. Community support on this has been amazing!!


Frank Baeta of Kuna has been at the park helping with baselines and layout. A member of the KBPRC, Frank is out there quite a bit and is a good volunteer to have around.
Thanks Frank!


A special thanks goes to Wil and Ben Douglas of Kuna for their continued help. The sons of the Director, Walt Douglas, both have been working on the shovels, rakes, marking paint, stakes, string, caps, and any other duties that come along involving tools and water bottles! They are there most days - and work hard.


Thank you to Manager Jane White and the Kuna Rental Connection for helping us with smooth rental transactions at the store. The Rental Connection has been very supportive of this project, and their supply of well maintained equipment has been a great help. Every time we need equipment it is ready when you arrive, and the machines are always serviced, fueled, and clean!

Thank you to Home Depot of Meridian!

Thank you Kuna Melba News for your continued support and acknowledgement!


We also want to thank the many sponsors and volunteers who have supported us from the beginning. As the project gets going further and the different stages are built, we will be advertising those organizations who helped with this community development. There have been many people behind the scenes who are working on this project overall, and their thoughts, advice, and considerations are greatly appreciated!


THANK YOU TREASURE VALLEY!!




When all of the grade work is completed for this part of the project, we will begin the preparation of the flagpole and "star paver display" area. If you would like to purchase a paver for this area, please accept our thanks. Right now the pavers are priced at our special quick sale price of
4 x 8 - $40.00 8 x 8 - $65.00.
The pavers are not only helping to pay for the construction of the facility, but also the purchase of new bleachers and scoreboards. Along with other much needed items, they will also help to pay for part of the concession building and improvements along the street that are not being donated.


PATRIOTIC PAVERS WILL BE DISPLAYED AROUND THE
BOTTOM OF THE FLAG POLE!


All pavers sold for this cause will be set in a 50' gold star pattern around the bottom of the flag pole in the park. This display will look out over the lower park and be accented by park benches and a pathway down to the lower green belt. A 50' lighted flag pole sporting a 15 x 18' flag, surrounded by a lighted 50' star. Don't mind me, but that sure sounds patriotic!


Please help with this project. With all of the plans and ideas being incorporated into this facility, we are asking for your support. It is for a good cause and you can get your name in Kuna history at the same time. These pavers are not the run of the mill cement pavers found elsewhere, they are constructed of quality clay and resins insured to last eighty to one hundred years and they look pretty cool too! We will be selling them again at the Kuna Days Information Booth if you would like to see the quality of these pavers. They make a great gift, and at the same time you will know that you have helped a great community project!


If you would like to purchase one of these pavers now, please click on the form at the top right and send it to us at the address on the bottom of the form. We will be buying the pavers for the flag opening on Kuna Days by July 22nd to have them on display under the flag if possible.


Thank you for your help.

Earlier Posting:
Monday's rain has put the project on hold. We are expecting to use some pretty heavy equipment in this part of the project, and using it in these muddy conditions would create even more work. Hopefully we can get started back up on Weds.

Thank you for your patience during these bad weather conditions. As a committee, we are attempting to complete the park as quickly as possible. With all of the volunteers helping, we know that when finished the new park will have been worth the commitment.

Please check the work schedule a couple of postings down for some updates and different work projects. We are always looking for volunteers if someone has a few hours to spare. We will supply all of the tools, the only thing we require is you'll need a sense of humor and you might need a water bottle.

If you think you might be interested in helping, please email your contact information to walt.kbprc@dishmail.net
If there is a rain delay or some equipment supply issue, we will contact you so you don't show up for nothing.
So if you want to work helping the community, come on out and lend a hand!!

Thank you,

The KBPRC

They're Outta Here!!!

  HOW MANY SKID STEERS DOES IT TAKE TO CHANGE A BALL FIELD?

 Wow! Everyone showed up for the move of the fields and it didn't take long to show some progress. Hats off to Kuna Rental Connection, RidgeLine Construction, and H3 Equipment Rental.

 All three companies contributed to this, and their efforts made this phase of the project a smooth transition. We especially want to thank the Rental Connection in Kuna. They have been a huge support on this, and their sponsorship is greatly appreciated!

Of course all of the equipment in the world wouldn't do any good without operators. We want to thank all of the people who showed up to help with this part, including Dustin Ferdinand, Jesse Hoseley, Garret Pig Farmer, Andrew Close, Wil Douglas, Ben Douglas, and Walt Douglas.

 Next, we will be removing the dirt for the avenue and grading the area between the two fields. Installation of the irrigation system will follow allowing us to turn the water back on for the sprinklers. Thank you to the City Parks Director, Bobby Withrow for helping us with that! Installation of the flag pole, planter, and retaining walls comes next, followed by the paver display area! Please check back in two or three days, its' starting to look like a project!

Need a Summer Job? We are Looking for Volunteers!

PLEASE CHECK THIS SITE FREQUENTLY; TIMES CHANGE DUE TO WEATHER AND EQUIPMENT AVAILABILITY.... Thank you

We have started the field division in the upper field and are preparing to move into the lower field. We have about two hours of work left on the upper field that involves removing the dirt and substrate from the facility. It is this substrate that was underneath the diamond dust that needs to be preserved. We have been stockpiling this into the outer field for use in that area, and will be transfering all of the good dirt from the outfield "cut" into the new infield within the next week.

Below are the times we expect to be doing this work. All of these times are of course dependant on weather, but once you have contacted us we will gladly call you if there are any changes.

However, if you are in the area and just want to help on any of these days and times, please stop by. If you have equipment that can be useful, please contact me at;

walt.kbprc@dishmail.net

Thank you for volunteering!


The week of June 8 work schedule looks like this;

MONDAY 10:00 - 11:30 am -1st crew - begin line setting on lower field. RAIN has set this back -it rained most of the night so the start up might be delayed about four hours.

Monday 10:00 am - 12:00 - 2nd crew finish grade and substrate removal on upper field.

1:00 - 9:00 pm Begin cut on lower field and Diamond Dust/substrate removal.

TUESDAY 10:00 am - 3:00 pm Tear down the center fence and dugouts.

3:00 - 4:00 Goof off, spin cookies in diamond dust, chug water, clean up, go home.

WEDNESDAY 10:00 am - 9:00 pm Finish tearing down dugouts - am.

Finish substrate removal and transfer of dirt from field to storage area. Build forms at baselines for base path definition. Move topsoil into new infield area.

THURSDAY 10:00 am - 3:30 pm Till topsoil and additives. lay in sprinkler lines. Compaction of materials.

FRIDAY 10:00 am - 9:00 pm Resume installation of sprinklers in infield. Plug and redirect old sprinklers.


MONDAY June 15th RAINED OUT*

Mark avenue lines and cover inner facility grass area with top soil.

5:00 pm - Mark off dugout construction area.


SPRAY HYDRO SEED ON INFIELDS

TUESDAY / WEDS. The fields are still too muddy to proceed with the next step.* With a ten wheeler required for this step, we will have to wait until the ground drys and hardens a little more. PLEASE KEEP CHECKING BACK.

Thank you!

Safety netting installed around infield grass area.

We will be removing the center of the facility only. This is to terrace the avenue area of the new complex.
10:00 am - 9:00 pm Roll up old backstops. Dissasemble old dugouts in the center of facility. Remove and roll up old foul line fence in center of facility. Load up of materials for storage.

Thursday and Friday; make up for lost time caused by rain out.*

MONDAY June 22nd

10:00 am - 9:00 pm Start removal of material in avenue area. Terrace for drainage.
TRUCKS NEEDED FOR HAULING OF MATERIAL. Haul off distance less than one mile.

TUESDAY 10:00 am - 9:00 pm Install substrate for diamond dust in new infields.

WEDS. 10:00 am - 9:00 pm begin rolling compaction of infield. Application of new Diamond Dust and grade material. Building of pitchers mound, development of home plate area, base placement and compaction.


THURSDAY? FRIDAY? Start digging of dugouts 1 - 4

THE FIELD DIVISION IS GO FOR LAUNCH!!

Dustin Ferdinand of Ridge Line Construction starts the first cut.

Alright! We have started on the field division! This is the primary part of our project, and quite frankly it is great to be finally rolling on it. We started tearing out the old field after some careful measuring and remeasuring of the new fields. Undertaking this, is not something for the timid.

We owe a lot to Dustin Ferdinand of Ridge Line Construction for his help and equipment on this project. He worked hard to get the lines put down and new infield cut, not to mention hauling off all of the material we removed from the new infield.

As has been the case throughout this project, the Rental Connection in Kuna supplied well kept equipment to this phase of the division. Their generosity is very appreciated and has been a huge help in making this a success. The added skid steer on this project has made it go smoothly to say the least. THANK YOU RENTAL CONNECTION of KUNA!!

The project had it's share of volunteers involved in this, Jack Graham of Able Painting provided a mini excavator to help with the project and Steve Danell of Kuna helped with the lot lines in the two fields. Wil and Ben Douglas also helped, with Wil spending the better part of the day driving stakes, pulling lines, and running the tape.

ACHD surveyors were on site to finish the topo and site plan for the park. They have put a lot of work into this project and have spent considerable hours working on this. We plan to use their input to grade the outfield and terrace the avenue between the two new fields, among other things. We will have more on what that "other things" is later.

And finally, Mother Nature showed up and made us take a break. Rain put a stop to the work, but we will hit it every day until done.

HOME DEPOT

"The Community Building Store"

The KBPRC would like to thank the Home Depot for their help in this project. At the Home Depot, they believe in more than being just another building in the community. They believe in building the community!

IDEAS NEEDED!!

Approximate location of proposed indoor batting cages.

This project is made up of ideas submitted by people just like you who love the sport of baseball. Some of the ideas we receive are not possible on the field design at this time, but might be some day.

We have had ideas submitted such as an irrigation system that waters down the baseline paths between games. Water line in the dugouts, power and water supply behind the pitchers mound, and recessed storage area for the umpires to keep game balls, water, or items needed in the officiating of games. These are just a few of the things people have suggested. These ideas are what we need to make this the best park in little league use around Idaho.

It is the ideas coming from people like you, that make this a facility that will be used and appreciated well into the future.

We have many ideas, some still need to be put on paper and drafted by the Engineer. Other ideas, like our outfield display system, are being incorporated as soon as possible, and still others are just worth mentioning before we even get them off the ground. One of these is our proposed indoor batting cage (approximate location indicated above in blue). Approximately 2 - 1/2 times the size of the current batting cage in use now, this structure will house two separate batting cages and have limited lighting with some seating for parents and athletes. Heating is not an option at this time, but could be someday depending on donations.

The purpose of this facility is to better train our kids in the skills of placing the bat correctly for a powerful drive of the ball. Improving bat to ball/ hand to eye coordination is key to improving our kid's skills and abilities and staying competitive when playing the teams from out of town. Ever wonder why East Boise has such good hitters? They have access to indoor batting cages the year around! (and you can bet they use it!)

In light of this new Kuna facility with proposed indoor batting cage, it is interesting to note that with the new 225' fields (with warning track) it will be that much harder to hit home runs out of this park! The new fields also have an eight foot outfield fence to get over.

If our kids are conditioned to hit the balls out this park it could give them a distinct advantage over unsuspecting visitor teams, not to mention the boost of confidence they will have with the added benefit of improved batting skills.

Bad weather would no longer be a problem when our kids start up in March, and with the addition of these cages they can have more access and time at batting practices.

Coaches will appreciate the fact that they don't have to pack up the pitching machines anymore, and can leave them locked up in the building! If approved, this structure could be built within the next two years. We are working on it.

Okay folks, honestly, that is a big idea, but any ideas are the kind we are looking for. Please send any you have into us, and we will happily contact you!

Thank you for your time.

TRAFFIC SAFETY IS ON IT'S WAY!!

We all want what is right and safe for our kids. This wouldn't be as obvious except for the fact that we have them in an after school program such as baseball, and that alone can help to attest to the fact that we want what is best for them.

But what about safety? When we drop our kids off in the parking lot and watch them run across the street to the park, do we worry for their safety? During games, when their siblings run back to the parking lot or to the restroom across the street - do we look for any cars that might be racing down the road because we worry for our kids safety?

In the eight years that I have been around this baseball park at this time of year, I have witnessed many close calls concerning a child and a car. I know that I am not the first parent to be concerned with these near misses, and I don't want to take credit for being the bell ringer on this issue - but non the less, it is an issue that should be addressed.

We normally try to keep this site with an accent on humor, and basically just make light of the project since we are all volunteers. However, this subject of safety concerning the cars and crossing the street is one we take seriously, as any parent would.

At this time, we are beginning the first stages on the temporary use permit (including construction and installation) of the barricades that will be in place on Second Street when some of you return for baseball next year. These barricades are designed with both the pedestrian and vehicle safety in mind. They will be placed at the intersections of Ave. A and Ave. B along Second Street.

I think that these barricades require some explanation of their use and storage in this unique facility. First, let me say that getting the permission granted to install these was no easy task. Sealing off traffic on a public street is not something ACHD takes lightly. However, after several explanations and demonstrations of the traffic (and our inability to contain parking and speeders in the area). They have given us the preliminary go ahead (with conditions).

Following our approval on the temporary use permit, we will need to construct the barricades according to the drafted and safety depicted manner in which they were presented to ACHD. What this means, is simply a design that can be as fool proof as a set structure can be - without human intervention.

The barricades are designed to be safe to the flow of traffic when either closed or open. They will incorporate a mechanism that allows them to be held in the closed position. When in use, a detent lock mechanism will force each barricade into a "resting in use" position of 90 degrees to the edge of the road. Holding the device at 90 degrees would help to insure "jousting" would not occur with an oncoming vehicle. Should the barricade arm become unlocked and swing into the street - 90 degrees is preferable, 22 - 45 degrees would be catastrophic. The detent is designed that if a collision were to occur with a vehicle at a resonable speed (20 mph max) while the barricade is in use, the barricade apparatus would be propelled away from the collision reducing damage to both the vehicle and the barricade itself.

While stored (under normal circumstances) the barricade would be locked, and could only be used during game times or other events included on the yearly certified use permit (C.U.P.). As serious as this sounds, it is just some of the dedication we will need to show the people of ACHD when it comes to allowing the use of these important devices. It is our kids who need this protection, and we will continue to promote the safety of this facility by using the barricades with respect to traffic and other users of 2nd street in the park.

Of course every permit comes with conditions, and this one is no different. Albeit unique, it is in the hands of ACHD and possibly the City Parks Department to monitor abuse or neglect of the barricades. They are granting us the chance to show we can use them appropriately. However, if that is proven to be a bad choice, the devices are designed to be permanently locked or even removed.

I know that in the future, as new familys use the facility and become members of the baseball or community softball association that will use the park, we can guarantee our kids that we will continue to provide them with a safe park facility, and the barricades will continue to be maintained and used properly by these organizations.

That is the deal, that is what they are telling us and we should listen. A lot of work went into the design and function of these barricades, so it would be a shame to lose them. Dedication from the parents attending the games and events in the park will secure the future of these needed safety barricades, and that dedication is all we need. To show respect of others in the park when using these traffic devices, and responsibility for the devices when not using them.

But hey, enough of this downer factual stuff! Here are three of the many artist's rendering of the barricades as they were presented to the Engineers at ACHD. I apologize, but we do not have a finished engineer draft for this. If you have any questions please email me, I would be happy to answer your concerns.

Thank you,

Walt Douglas

Director, Kuna Baseball Park Redevelopment Committee

walt.kbprc@dishmail.net