When Kendell Hardwick, coordinator of Health Services for St. Johns County Schools, stood on the sidelines of the Field of Dreams in Aberdeen, she saw more than just a baseball game—she saw possibility. Inspired by that moment, Kendell imagined a space where children of all abilities could experience the joy of sports, teamwork, and community. That vision is becoming reality through Diamond of Dreams, an all-inclusive park and baseball field designed for children and young adults with physical or mental special needs.
The park will feature a fully accessible, carpeted baseball field, an inclusive playground, and an indoor sports facility creating a safe, welcoming space for every child to play, compete, and belong. “It’s a place where children with special needs can wear a uniform, hear the roar of the crowd, and just be part of the team,” Kendell shared. Her passion is deeply personal. Kendell’s mother was one of the founding coaches of the Challenger Division of Little League Baseball in St. Augustine. “Carrying on that legacy means a lot to me,” she said. Her career in nursing has always led her to classrooms serving children with special needs. “I would just naturally gravitate to the self-contained classrooms,” she recalled. Not knowing how the community would respond, Kendell moved forward with hope and determination. She secured land leased through the Police Athletic League along Allen Nease Road and soon discovered just how ready St. Johns County was to rally behind its kids. Residents, business leaders, and public officials offered overwhelming support. In a recent trip to Tallahassee, Kendell met with First Lady Casey DeSantis and 61 state leaders to share her vision. The project secured $2.1 million in American Rescue Plan Act funds, and Mathews Design Group has finalized the site plans. With groundbreaking already underway, Kendell now sets her sights on opening day less than a year away. As momentum builds, so does the dream: a place where every child can step onto the field, feel like they belong, and know they are cheered for – loudly and lovingly – by an entire community.
