Fallon Sports Park Phase Two Grand Opening

The weather cooperated long enough for the ribbon cutting by Dublin Vice Mayor Melissa Hernadez who invited everyone to enjoy the new facilities and create new sporting memories.

Other speakers at the opening event were Mike Quatman of Robert A. Bothman Construction, Dublin United Soccer League President Dan Mendoza and Dublin Little League President Kevin Peay who thanked the City of Dublin staff and all those involved in the project for creating a facility which is by far one of the best in the tri-valley and would be enjoyed for decades to come.

Those who braved the rainy weather were fortunate to receive a free hot dog grilled by the Dublin Lions Club along with other ballpark snacks and a pennant to commemorate the event. Unfortunately, the inclement weather resulted in the cancellation of the planned baseball match between the two “vintage” teams, the Dublin Aces and the Hayward Journals. The new 90’ baseball diamond will be the home of the Dublin Aces.

Kevin Peay also mentioned the outstanding collection of amenities in one locale. The Fallon Sports Park includes baseball diamonds, soccer fields, basketball courts and a bocce court. The speeches were followed by a rousing and moving rendition of the national anthem by Ernestine Balisi.

Insect life is also celebrated in the park with the inclusion of a pollinator garden and representatives from the Pollinator Posse were on hand providing seeds for beets as well as seed pellets in the shape of butterflies that could be planted to provide food sources for Monarch butterflies in home gardens. Representatives explained that bees and other pollinators bring us 1 out of 3 bites of food and their habitats are threatened. Tora Rocha founded The Pollinator Posse, drawing attention to the alarming declines in the population of the Monarch butterfly. The public is encouraged to plant native milkweed as habitat for the butterflies, their eggs and caterpillars.

A highlight of the grand opening event of Phase Two of Fallon Sports Park included the ceremonial first pitch. The pitch involved members of the Dublin Aces Vintage Baseball League Team namely pitcher Casey “Fingers” Hammonds and catcher Ramsey “Doc” Rhodes.

The artist responsible for the eye-catching and striking sculpture overlooking the park, Heath Satow, introduced the artwork and explained that the design evokes the shape of the human form at its greatest potential, in full body extension. His aim was not to depict one single sport but rather coalesce the movements of the body when engaged in a variety of sporting scenarios including a goalkeeper saving a goal, a basketball player performing a slam dunk and even a fan displaying excitement for the winning team. The stainless steel sculpture was commissioned by the City of Dublin’s Public Art Program.

The base of the sculpture has inspirational quotes selected by the public which include a quote from Los Angeles Lakers Basketball Hall of Fame Player, Earvin “Magic” Johnson, “All kids need is a little help, a little hope and somebody who believes in them.”