Honeywood Diamond to receive funds for improvements after winning Field of Dreams

May 15, 2025 · 0 Comments

Written By CONSTANCE SCRAFIELD

The baseball diamond in Honeywood will see some much-needed improvements. The Township of Mulmur was declared one of the winners in the Toronto Blue Jay’s Field of Dreams competition.

The Field of Dreams competition is sponsored by the Jays Care Foundation, the charitable arm of the Toronto Blue Jays.

The Foundation is committing more than $1.5 million in infrastructure investments to build and refurbish baseball diamonds across the country through its Field of Dreams program.

In total, 15 communities will receive funding.

The Township of Mulmur was announced as one of the winners in the contest after it submitted a successful application to refurbish the ball diamond next to the Honeywood Arena.

Executive, coaches, players, and supporters gathered at the ballpark in Mansfield on Sunday, May 4, for a watch party to see the winners get announced live during the Blue Jays game.

They were thrilled Mulmur was announced as one of the winners.

Built in 1978, the Honeywood diamond needs some basic upgrades so it can be used for minor and senior baseball. Improvements will include putting in a real pitching mound.

Mulmur Township will receive $66,000 to facilitate the improvements.

“The Township did a master recreational plan a few years back and it identified priorities,” explained Tracey Atkinson, Township of Mulmur CAO. “One of the priorities was additional ball diamond availability. This grant aligns with needed improvements that would allow additional teams to use it.”

Baseball in Mulmur has been centred in Mansfield. These improvements in Honeywood will allow residents to play the sport on a local diamond with better facilities.

“Both Mansfield and Honeywood are within Mulmur Township. Honeywood is a smaller field, and this will allow us to bring it up to a standard that older ages can use it and there is potential to improve it so it would be available for senior ball, for example,” Ms. Atkinson explained. “It will allow local kids to enjoy playing in the area. They won’t have to be driving further distances for practices on other fields.”

The Honeywood diamond currently isn’t suitable for organized baseball, but the improvements will mean minor teams will be able to have games there starting next season.

“We’ll be making improvements to the field and creating a pitcher’s mound,” explained Township of Mulmur Director of Infrastructure, Chris Wolnik. “These improvements will make it suitable for older age kids. Dugouts are another issue – putting a covered dugout in place is something we will address. Also seating, is one of the three main things we will do. This renovation will happen closer to September so the improvements will be realized and there will be more baseball there next summer.”

The watch party in Mansfield broke out in a cheer when it was announced that the community was one of the winners of the Field of Dreams contest.

“Jays Care is thrilled to partner with these 15 outstanding organizations, all committed to bringing the game of baseball to more children and youth across the country,” said Peter King, acting executive director of the Jays Care Foundation. “These new diamonds will be more than just places to play, they’ll be hubs for community connection where young people can get active, learn, and grow a love for the game of baseball.”

Along with Mulmur Township, other winning communities across the country include Summerland, B.C.; Conception Bay, Nfld.; Lower Sackville, N.S.; Waverly, N.S.; Clarington, Ont.; Dutton, Ont.; Pelham, Ont.; Petrolia, Ont.; Toronto, Ont.; West Nippissing, Ont.; Windsor, Ont.; Joliete, Que.; Hanely, Sask.; and Regina, Sask.