Dream come true

For her dedication to DreamCatcher Park, Joan Shafer, the late mayor of Surprise, will be honored this fall when the city names the field after her.

Parks and Recreation Director Mark Coronado made the announcement at Thursday's City Council meeting.

DreamCatcher Park is the city's fully accessible children's sports facility, which opened last year. Shafer considered the park one of her proudest achievements.

Plans were already under way for the dedication before Shafer passed away April 14.

"I want to assure the council that I spoke with the mayor during spring training when she was trying to get Joe Garagiola's autograph - she was adamant that she was going to get not one but five," Coronado said. "And I told her we could do the dedication at the end of April, when the spring (sports) season is half as much as the fall."

Coronado said Shafer opted for having the dedication in the fall.

"I like the fall, there will be more kids, more families, I want them all there," she told Coronado.

Coronado said Joan Shafer Field will be a part of DreamCatcher Park, much like Billy Parker Field is part of Surprise Stadium, distinguishing the park from the field.

"In September, we'll have a grand ceremony," Coronado said. "And forever (it) will be the place where children play on Joan Shafer Field at DreamCatcher Park."