The Los Angeles Dodgers Foundation (LADF) and Kershaw’s Challenge unveiled Dodgers Dreamfields Nos. 64 and 65 at Jim Thorpe Park last week.
It was part of a fulfilling day for the foundation, as a new renovation project at Loma Alta Park also had a ribbon-cutting ceremony on Friday. Dodgers Dreamfields 66 and 67 represented the official re-opening of Loma Alta Park, which had been closed since sustaining significant damage during the Eaton Fire.
Los Angeles Dodgers Foundation CEO Nichol Whiteman and city of Hawthorne councilman Alex Monteiro were among those to share remarks at Jim Thorpe Park.
Kershaw was unable to attend due to coming off the 60-day injured list that day for his 2025 debut, but did speak exclusively with DodgerBlue.com.
“It’s been a great partnership,” he said of Kershaw’s Challenge working with the LADF on several Dodgers Dreamfields projects and other initiatives throughout his career.
“I think the Dodgers Foundation does amazing stuff here in the city of Los Angeles. I think the biggest thing for us at Kershaw’s Challenge is what they’re doing goes far beyond baseball fields. They’re getting these kids plugged into leagues, they’re getting eyes on these kids, getting somewhere to go after school, giving them something to do.
“Baseball is a great byproduct but it by no means is an important part of a life skill. But being part of a team and having a chance to be part of a team is pretty awesome. That’s why we get so excited to partner with them on this stuff. Another Dreamfield to me just means a lot more kids having an opportunity that maybe they didn’t before, which is great.”
The Dodgers Dreamfields were completed eight months after the groundbreaking ceremony, which Kershaw was on hand for.
The $822,000 project revitalized green spaces to help re-energize the community’s baseball and softball programs while boosting the safety of the local park and providing a place for all to gather. Refurbishments at Jim Thorpe Park included upgraded fencing, new customized signage, new foul poles, upgraded dugouts, an enlarged field, two scoreboards, new infield mix and sod, refurbished backstops, and an updated bullpen for youth ages 5-12 and high school-aged players.
With the unveiling at the two sties last week, the Los Angeles Dodgers Foundation continued to make progress toward their goal of reaching 75 Dreamfields by 2033 to commemorate the 75th anniversary of the franchise moving to Los Angeles in 1958.
Kershaw’s Challenge events
Kershaw confirmed to DodgerBlue.com the annual Kershaw’s Challenge Back to School Bash will again be held at The Dream Center this summer, but their Ping Pong 4 Purpose charity event likely will give way to a new initiative.
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