With opening day set for April 17, Fayette Field of Hope organizers still

need $106,000 to finish the project.

The baseball field, which will feature a rubberized surface instead of

dirt and grass, is designed so children in wheelchairs and walkers can

play alongside others. So far about $550,000 has been raised in cash and

in-kind donations.

The rubberized surface has not yet been placed on the field and the concession

stand, specially designed to accommodate players, must also be built.

The field is located at the baseball and soccer complex off Ga. Highway

74 South in Peachtree City on land donated by the City Council. The field

will serve youths from 12 counties on the south side of Atlanta, said

Erin Yocom, who has helped raise funds for the project. The field will

also be eligible to host Little League tournaments.

One similar field is already operating in Conyers with another planned

for Alpharetta.

Organizers recently got a boost from Keep Fayette Beautiful, which is

donating funds from the recent Christmas tree recycling drive. The organization

decided to double the amount of money collected, bringing the total donation

to $4,083. The Peachtree City Rotary Club was also involved, manning the

two tree recycling sites in town, along with the Peachtree City Kiwanis

Club, the Peachtree City Public Works Department, Fayette Master Gardner

volunteers and White-Meadows Tree Service.

"We've had a lot of community support," Yocum said.

If the group falls short, however, the concession stand project may be

postponed but that would be difficult since some of the construction materials

have already been delivered, Yocum said.

Donations may be dropped off at The Bank of Georgia at 100 Westpark Drive

in Peachtree City or by calling Nick Harris at 770-486-9277.