CRANBERRY TWP — The Miracle League ballfield at Dick’s Sporting Goods Sportsplex in Graham Park will be the focus of the Cranberry Township Community Chest’s 2016 project of the year.

The ballfield, which is used by all levels of players as well as special needs players in the Miracle League of Southwestern Pennsylvania, will get a renovated playing surface. The current surface, a specially engineered field, is susceptible to erosion and degrading from the elements.

The project’s timeline would see the resurfaced facility ready in the spring 2017 season.

A secondary project after is to construct a baseball-themed playground adjacent to the Miracle League field.

Bruce Mazzoni, project chairman, said the organization chose the Miracle League resurfacing about three years ago because officials estimated that the facility would need to be renovated after the 2015 season.

“I think it’s a great project. We thought it would be a perfect project to do,” Mazzoni said. “When we select the project of the year, we try to find a good partner. I feel confident that the Miracle League will be great partners.”

Mazzoni said the baseball-themed playground will be the first playground in Graham Park.

“It’s going to be an all-inclusive playground,” he said. “It’ll be used by children of all ages and abilities.”

The goal of the 2016 project is to raise $600,000 to fund the resurfacing as well as build the playground. Fundraising has already startedt, aided by the Seneca Valley High School Raiderthon, which raised $20,000.

“It was a great effort,” Mazzoni said of the Raiderthon. “It shows what Seneca Valley can do.”

The project’s official kickoff will begin with the Cranberry Township Community Days event, which runs July 9 to 11 and is expected to generate as much as $100,000 for the project. In addition, Fun Fore All has committed to donating $1 for every round of miniature golf played from July 9 to Aug. 31.

“Obviously, $600,000 is a lot of money,” Mazzoni said. “I feel confident we’ll be able to achieve that goal.”

Since its inception in 2010, the CTCC has chosen a community project to fund each year. Past projects have included the recently completed firefighter training and retention initiative, which raised nearly $400,000, and multiple additions and amenities to township parks.

The first project in 2011 was an electronic welcome sign at the intersection of Routes 228 and 19. In 2012, the Centennial Scout Plaza and fishing pond in Graham Park were built.

In 2013, the organization focused on the Playtime Palace Playground renovations. Graham Park was a focus again in 2014, when the project funded outdoor fitness stations.