How the Dodgers Dreamfield Foundation is Changing Lives One Field at a Time
The Los Angeles Dodgers Foundation is actively working in communities to provide opportunities for sports, and learning. One way they tangibly make an impact is through their vision of building Dreamfields all throughout the Los Angeles area.
Compton locals gather to celebrate the opening of phase 2 of their Dreamfield, April 2022
(LA Dodgers, X)
What is the Dodgers Dreamfield Foundation?
In 1995, Peter O’Malley first founded the Dodgers Foundation. The foundation grew under the leadership of owner, Mark Walter, in 2012. According to MLB.com, “Walter arrived with ambitions that were bigger than baseball; he wanted the team’s charity to grow — to reach all of Los Angeles — and become an example to other sports teams worldwide.”
Under Walter’s leadership, the Dodgers have increased fundraising by 1,000%. Under the Dreamfield Foundation, 67 new Dreamfields have been completed, giving over 400,000 youths access to a Dreamfield in their neighborhood.
The Dreamfield Foundation, which began in 2003, has invested over $10 million in these fields. Their goal is to build 75 fields by the 75th anniversary of the Dodgers move to Los Angeles. Their mission is to promote youth development through baseball and safe play spaces. It is run in partnership with the LA Dodgers Foundation and community groups.
Their most recent fields, 66 and 67, were opened on Saturday, May 17, 2025. On Saturday, May 17, Loma Alta Park in Altadena, celebrated a grand reopening after a several month closure due to the Eaton Fire. It is now considered a “super park” and features “newly refurbished and enhanced park spaces along with expanded services and programming,” the L.A. County Department of Parks and Recreation said in a media statement.
The two Dreamfields in Loma Alta Park, are the only two in Altadena, and the first Dodgers Dreamfields in the unincorporated part of the city, the parks department said.
Ribbon cutting at Loma Alta Park in Altadena, May 17, 2025
(Dodgers Foundation, Instagram)
Why it Matters
Parks are an important part of a thriving community. According to the National Recreation and Parks Association, “The presence of parks… provides environment and health benefits, including improved water and air quality and increased the likelihood that members of a community will exercise. Socially, parks serve as a gathering place for people and families of all ages and income brackets to enjoy.”
The 100 largest cities across the United States are given a park score each year based on park acres, facilities, investment, and proximity of local residents to their parks. Los Angeles has a park score of just 41, which ranks 74th out of 100 cities. (Learn more about the index here.)
Real-Life Impact
By building Dreamfields throughout Los Angeles County and surrounding communities, the Dodgers Foundation has helped by providing safe play, community gathering spaces, and mentorship opportunities. Here’s what some Dreamfield recipients have to say:
“The Dodgers Dreamfield has created more sense of community at the park and community center. It has also brought all 5 little leagues together to unite and create a universal “Challengers League.” It has also increased our City’s involvement in Special Olympics.” Jack Bulik Park, Dreamfield 51
“The program has increased interest in the programs, adult interest in future programs, increased baseball/ softball programming, less dead time on the fields which opens the facility to vandalism, and increased pride of public spaces near the Dreamfields.” Darby Park, Dreamfields 46 & 47
“To have the Dodgers Foundation, our community feels great. It’s good knowing that we have someone looking out for us and knowing ‘cause we’re a small community and well, not many people are able to look out for us. So I’m grateful that they’re here for us.” Adam Vasquez, Animo Baseball Player Edward Vincent Park in Inglewood (2023)
The city of Altadena has been in the process of rebuilding after the Eaton Fire. Nine thousand homes, businesses, and other buildings were destroyed by the wildfire. And along with those structures, parks were also damaged, including Loma Alta Park. On April 16, 2025, Phil Paulorana, President of Altadena Little League, shared his anticipation of the Dodgers Dreamfield project in Altadena in the radio show Wake Up Call.
“I’m super excited about it. The La Dodger Foundation is donating to Dodger Dreamfields, and… it’s something that we’ve always had in our mind, like, you know, if the Dodgers would ever come up here since we are La County Parks… Unfortunately, with the situation that took place, it was able to happen. So Loma Alta is planning to open May 17th. They’re providing a lot of things for the youth, a lot of things for seniors in the area that have been displaced, to try and provide some normalcy. And they’re also building these fields to get Central Altadena Little League a place to play for the next coming years as we rebuild Altadena.”
Back in October of 2022, the city of Inglewood celebrated with a groundbreaking ceremony for Dodgers Dreamfields 59 and 60. Councilman Alex Padilla shared in a video on their city’s Facebook page that by reopening these fields, it gives youth and kids the opportunity to play baseball and softball in state of the art, reconstructed fields. Families and kids will now have a safe environment to play.
“The Dodgers have been here for a long time with us. These are good, historic times,” said Inglewood mayor, James Butts, in a statement. “I look forward to seeing the first games played here in our new fields here in the city.”
Dodgers Dreamfields opened in Inglewood on May 13, 2024
The Dodger’s Role
The LA Dodgers Foundation envisions a city where everyone regardless of zip code has the opportunity to thrive, reads their vision statement.
Five months ago, Elex Michaelson from Fox 11, did a feature on the work the Dodgers are doing in our greater community. From passing out free turkey dinners for Thanksgiving, to connecting with firefighters and first responders and giving them a free night at a Dodger game, to visiting kids in local schools, the Dodgers Foundation cares about connecting with the people who live in the Los Angeles area.
“There is no Dodgers without our community,” says Kristin Mccowan, Dodgers Vice President of Government and Community Affairs.
Nichol Whiteman, CEO of the Dodgers Foundation, explains why they care about giving back. “We believe in leveling the playing field. We want to see a Los Angeles where everybody has the opportunity to thrive.”
Michaelson met up with Whiteman at Algin Sutton Recreation Center in South LA, home of the 1st and 50th Dodgers Dreamfield. “We’ve invested 20 million dollars in 65 fields throughout the greater Los Angeles community,” says Whiteman. “They’re safe spaces where youth and families can gather, and yes, play the game of baseball and softball. But also they serve as outdoor classrooms, they serve as community gathering spaces.”
Dodgers players and staff frequently visit and hold events at Dodgers Dreamfields. The Los Angeles Dodgers Foundation, through the Dodgers Dreamteam program, provides resources and support to youth, including mental health, education, leadership development, and scholarships. These events are often part of the broader community outreach and engagement efforts of the organization.
According to the LA County parks and rec page, “LA County Parks partner with the Dodgers Foundation to deliver a free baseball and softball program for youth ages 5-18. Participants obtain basic baseball and softball skills through structured practices and games. Uniforms and equipment are provided.”
Dreamfield players in uniform at Jim Thorpe Park in Hawthorne, May 18, 2025
(Dodgers Foundation, Instagram)
More than Baseball
Dreamfields are more than baseball, they are hubs for learning and leadership. “With a focus on equity and access, these Dodgers Dreamfields will also serve as resource hubs to deliver sports-based youth development programming, as well as resources in education, health care, and basic needs,” reads the Dodger Foundation fundraising page.
On Saturday, June 22, 2024, the LA Dodgers Foundation gathered at the Maywood Park Dreamfield for a Mayor’s Play Ball event that included a free Dodgers Academy clinic for kids 8-17 and the unveiling of a Dreamfield plaque, a gift from the City of Vernon to commemorate the field and its significance to Southeast Los Angeles area communities.
Mayor’s Play Ball Event announcement from the City of Maywood’s Instagram Page
May 17, 2025, Los Angeles Dodgers Foundation and Kershaw’s Challenge unveiled new Dodgers Dreamfields at Jim Thorpe Park in Hawthorne. Local youth came for their free sports clinic where they practiced pitching, exercised, and learned the value of playing as a team.
Clinics like this offer youth the opportunity to grow, not only in their athletic abilities, but also as individuals who will grow up to understand the value of community service and leadership.
Local youth exercising at the Dodgers free sports clinic, May 17, 2025
(City of Hawthorne, Instagram)
How you can get involved
If you’re interested in getting involved with the Dodgers Dreamfield Foundation, there are a few ways.
You can sign up to volunteer for an LA Dodgers Foundation Run. Volunteers must be at least 12 years of age, and are needed to help at packet pick up, distribute water, hand out finisher’s medals and in other ways. Volunteer information can be found here- https://dodgers.race-mlb.com/volunteers.
If you’d like to give financially, you can donate online, participate in their annual 50/50 raffle, sign up for the Dodgers Foundation Run, or you can find other ways to help by visiting https://www.mlb.com/dodgers/community/foundation/support.
You can also help by sharing with friends and family about the good work that the Dodgers Foundation is doing throughout our Los Angeles communities.
Final Thoughts
Sports can spark hope, teamwork and growth, and the LA Dodgers are well on their way to 75 Dreamfields by 2033. From a dusty lot to a dream come true, the Los Angeles Dreamfield Foundation is doing good work to make sure all kids have the opportunity to thrive through outdoors and sports.
“Equality without equity means nothing. And so, what we’re doing is we’re showing them from an early age that they’re more than equal, that they have equitable playing fields, that they have people that care about them and invest in their futures.”
Mayor of Inglewood, James T. Butts Edward Vincent Park in Inglewood (2023)
Learn more about the Dodgers Dreamfield Foundation:
Dodgers Dreamfields
