The Houston Astros and Major League Baseball teamed up to dedicate the Urban Youth Academy at Sylvester Turner Park.

The ribbon cutting drew dozens of people and several political and community leaders including Congresswoman Sheila Jackson-Lee,  State Senator John Whitmire, State Rep. Armando Walle, Mayor Annise Parker, Astros Owner Drayton Mclane, Astros announcer Milo Hamilton , and Joe Turner, director of the city’s parks and recreation department. Also present were design representatives from RdlR Architects and Clark Condon and Associates.

The academy, located in north Houston,  is designed to promote baseball among inner city youth. This is the second such facility in the nation to offer free year-round baseball, softball and education programs.  The park will have a show field; permanent seating for 500 fans, with space for an additional 1,800 fans; dugouts and lights; one auxiliary field; two Little League/softball fields; and 1,500 square feet of office space and other facilities.