New Field Lights Will Improve Safety and Extend Playing Hours at Riverside Park
Rose Park Baseball Celebrates Start of 2024 Season at Riverside Park
The Larry H. & Gail Miller Family Foundation (Miller Family Foundation) partnered with Salt Lake City to fund and install lights on two baseball fields at Riverside Park at 730 N. 1400 W. to improve safety and extend playing hours. The project commenced in Fall 2023, and this Spring is the first opportunity for teams to play under the new lights. The original baseball fields at Riverside Park were built between 1956-1958.
“Generations of families and residents in Glendale, Poplar Grove, and Rose Park have enjoyed sport and connection at Riverside Park,” said Salt Lake City Mayor Erin Mendenhall. “Thanks to this donation from the Miller Family Foundation, communities will be able to safely play softball, baseball, and enjoy other park activities longer into the evening because of the additional lighting and renovations.”
The Miller family and Miller Family Foundation have a deep history with softball and baseball. Larry H. Miller, co-founder of the Larry H. Miller Company and Miller Family Foundation, began playing softball as a child and played competitively well into his adult life. Larry also pitched a 12-strikeout perfect game a few blocks from Riverside Park at Old White Ballpark on April 24, 1969.
“Larry and I raised our family at the ballpark,” said Gail Miller, chair of the Larry H. & Gail Miller Family Foundation. “Our family loves baseball and softball, but most importantly, we love how sports can unify communities and enhance our quality of life. We are pleased to see this area infused with light to increase safety and allow players of all ages more chances at bat well into the evening.”
Rose Park Baseball kicked off its season with a pancake breakfast and community celebration at Riverside Park. Members of the Big League Utah coalition, including former MLB players, served as base coaches, and the Salt Lake Bees and Bumble provided on-field entertainment.
Commemorative first pitches were thrown by: Steve Starks, CEO of the Larry H. Miller Company; Salt Lake City Councilmember Victoria Petro; Dale Murphy, former MLB player and Big League Utah coalition member; Jared Fernandez, former MLB player and Big League Utah coalition member; and Ashley Havili, vice president of marketing for Larry H. Miller Sports + Entertainment.
“We’re grateful for this investment in our community,” said James Walje, president of Rose Park Baseball. “The new lights will increase safety and extend playing hours. Rose Park Baseball has served the west side community for over 65 years, and we’re excited to make memories under the lights.”
Several softball and baseball fields around the state bear the Miller name, including two in Salt Lake County: the Larry H. Miller Softball Complex at Big Cottonwood Regional Park in Millcreek and the Larry H. Miller Softball Complex at Valley Regional Park in Taylorsville. Additionally, in April 2023, the Larry H. Miller Company and Miller family launched a coalition, Big League Utah, to help Salt Lake City and the state of Utah secure a potential Major League Baseball expansion team.
“The west side of Salt Lake City has a deep, rich history with baseball,” said Steve Starks, CEO of the Larry H. Miller Company. “We hope these improvements will provide a safe space for people of all ages to gather, connect and play the beautiful game. We especially hope that the youth of the area make connections that will teach them the importance of teamwork, community and sportsmanship.”
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About the Larry H. & Gail Miller Family Foundation
The Larry H. & Gail Miller Family Foundation was established in 2007 to continue the philanthropic spirit exemplified by Larry and Gail Miller for future generations. The Larry H. & Gail Miller Family Foundation supports programs that enrich lives and communities in the areas of health and medicine, shelter and food security, education and skill development, jobs and economic self-reliance, and cultural and spiritual enrichment.
