Community comes together to rebuild Bakersfield’s Pride Park once again
Photos by Karla Smith Above, a group of Bakersfield students work to help clean up Bakersfield Pride Park Sunday afternoon following the destruction of the baseball/softball facility by an F-3 tornado that swept through the town Friday night. This is the second time the stadiums and park have been ravaged by mother nature. In 2017, the park sustained immense damage from flooding, and the community worked together to clean it up and make needed repairs. This time, though, the park is a complete loss and will have to have a total rebuild. Below, Kyle Clayton uses his equipment to clean up downed trees and debris from the tornado.
When the deadly tornado swept through Bakersfield Friday night, it missed the school campus but completely destroyed Pride Park, the school’s baseball and softball complex, according to Superintendent Dr. Amy Padgett.
It’s the second time the baseball and softball complex has been demolished by weather. In the spring of 2017, flooding caused heavy damage to the fields and concession stand. With hard work from community members and school staff, the park was back up and running later that year. This time though, the park is almost a total loss.
She says high school and junior high baseball and softball teams will be forced to play the rest of their season on the road this year. One big question was where would the high school and junior high baseball and softball teams practice. “All of our surrounding schools have been wonderful,” Dr. Padgett said. “Gainesville (we are so grateful for them) reached out to us right away, along with several other schools. After lots of consideration, we’ve decided to use our local K-8 partners. Their fields are not being used at all because they play all their sports in the fall and, logistically, it will work out best. Our high school teams will practice at Richards and our junior high teams will practice at Fairview which is just 5 minutes down the road from Richards. That way, we can take one bus, which will save us some transportation money.”
Bakersfield athletic director Micheal Mahan has been working with schools on rearranging baseball and softball schedules to see if games originally scheduled at home could be played as road games. “We will be making posts on our school Facebook page on any changes to the sports schedules,” Padgett said.
Padgett passed along thanks to the many that have helped since the tornado struck the town of Bakersfield Friday night. She says other school districts, businesses, churches and others have sent supplies, meals, money and manpower to help those affected. “Century Bank has been amazing; Chris Harlin reached out right away. Stockmens Bank and Mason Eslinger have reached out, offering help,” Padgett said. “Teams from other schools have offered manual labor help like Gainesville’s baseball team and Mountain Home’s football team. It’s awesome. We are so blessed to live and work here in this community. We’re doing our best here at school to distribute items and help to those who need it most.”
How to help
The school has a relief account set up to financially help those who are in need. Donations can be made directly to the school by mailing a check to Bakersfield School, PO Box 38, Bakersfield, MO 65609 or dropped off at any Century Bank of the Ozarks location.
Fundraising efforts have already begun. On Monday, March 17, during the West Plains Zizzer Baseball Jamboree where teams from Gainesville, Ava and Mountain Grove competed, organizers set up a bucket for cash donations and raised a total of $1,350 for Bakersfield’s softball and baseball programs. The Dora Falcons also were collecting donations at their Falcon Jamboree on Monday, March 17, where Dora, Willow Springs and Bakersfield baseball teams were competing.
Brian Hollis, Bakersfield Elementary principal, has been coordinating teams of manual labor to help with clean up efforts. “Some people barely have a path to their house. We’re in need of people with chainsaws and equipment,” Padgett said. “If you have a group of friends who are willing to donate a few hours to help, contact Mr. Hollis. Students are welcome to help. They can help pile brush and do jobs like that.” Mr. Hollis can be contacted by calling the school at 417-284-7333.
Trucks have been delivering water, food and other items thoughout the week, with a big delivery expected today, Wednesday, March 19. The school is planning on holding a drive-through box pickup later this week for families. “We will be posting about that when plans are finalized,” Padgett said.
In the meantime, the school’s FEMA building is full of items for those in need. At this time, they’re unable to accept anymore clothing. “We’re at capacity. We will have to get the building cleared out by the end of the week, so that we can hold testing here,” Padgett said. “We will continue to serve lumches here as long as needed, however.”
As help pours in from all over the Ozarks, Padgett marveled at the love and support the Bakersfield community has felt and shown during this tragedy. “My mom always said God shows up even in the hardest times. I and our school sure have felt his presence through this.”