Unique.
All-Access.
Sports Park.
ONE MAN’S DREAM
Jim Tapp was a retired firefighter from New Jersey who moved his family to Brevard County in the 1990s to enjoy a carefree life in the warmth and sunshine. Not one to relax easily, however, when he met a child with a disability and heard from her parents how the community lacked a place that she and her friends to play sports, Tapp couldn’t sit still. For years he met with city officials, business owners, individuals and county commissioners to plead for an inclusive sports park. Finally, over a decade after he began his mission, Robin Fisher, then District 1 County Commissioner, agreed that this type of complex was long overdue.
Thanks to Fisher’s commitment to the cause, a partnership with the City of West Melbourne was formed and the land was secured for the inclusive sports park. Over $5 million also was raised from a combination of state and county funds, as well as corporate and local business donations. In January 2016 Tapp’s Dream became a reality with the opening of the Space Coast Field of Dreams (SCFOD).
WE’RE A NONPROFIT
Although operations are now managed by the City of West Melbourne’s Parks and Recreation department, the Space Coast Field of Dreams continues to maintain a 501(c)3 nonprofit status with a mission to provide individuals of all ages and abilities a place, as well as the means, to play, have fun, make friends, enjoy sports and activities in a safe, inclusive environment. A dedicated alliance of like-minded community members serves as its Board of Directors.
This small, but mighty, team consists of the following community volunteers:
Executive Committee
PJ McLoughlin – President
Realtor & Team Lead, The Platinum Group of Keller Williams Realty
Tony Martinez – Vice President
Director, All Abilities Ministry
Amanda Wise – Secretary
Director of Accounts, Access411
Rosalind (Roz) Weiss – Immediate Past President
CEO, Tell It Write
Directors
Micheal (Mike) Klenotich
Emeritus
Robin Fisher
Owner, Robin L. Fisher Insurance Agency, State Farm
Founder
James (Jim) Tapp (Deceased)
The Space Coast Field of Dreams is located at the north end of the
West Melbourne Community Park, or 3053 Fell Road, West Melbourne, Florida 32912
WEST MELBOURNE COMMUNITY PARK
The Space Coast Field of Dreams is a five-acre, all-access, multi-sport park located within the larger West Melbourne Community Park. The all-inclusive complex features a baseball and soccer field, basketball court, mini-golf area, playground, flex space, concession stand and ample handicapped parking. The sports areas and playground have rubber surfaces, cooling stations, covered seating and pleasing color palettes. There also is an array of covered pavilions with tables and benches available for rent.
In 2019, the Board of Directors of the Space Coast Field of Dreams transferred the management of programs and operations of the Field to the City of West Melbourne. The nonprofit arm of the SCFOD continues to be led by a volunteer Board of community members to ensure that the mission of the SCFOD is carried out and to raise funds for scholarships so that no child or adult who wishes to play in a sports league, attend a camp or an event, is turned away.
Founding Partners
