Sports Field Under Way

East Hampton’s littlest athletes will soon have a new place to play sports like tennis, soccer, and basketball.

A successful campaign launched in December by Good Circle, a local crowdsourcing organization that connects nonprofits with businesses and the community, raised enough money for a new, paved sports surface to be installed at the Eleanor Whitmore Early Childhood Center in East Hampton over the next few weeks. The campaign actually exceeded its goal of $17,140. Money raised will also cover the cost of sports equipment such as balls, flags, hoops, nets, racquets, cones, and supplies, as well as fencing, benches, a tent, and painting the paved surface.

“We know that it’s going to develop our activities . . . as well as be fun for the children. It’s been a great joint effort,” said Maureen Wikane, director of the Eleanor Whitmore Early Childhood Center.

“It’s so sweet to see something for children of this age,” Ms. Wikane added.

The junior sports field, as it’s been called, received support from 27 donors and matching contributions from the Hampton Racquet, owned by John Graham, who also directs the center’s physical education program. Smart Sports Surfacing installed the fence and will be donating the play surface.

Mr. Graham said he is eagerly anticipating the completion of the field. Although recent inclement weather held up the project initially, he said, it should be completed by the start of the summer camp program at the nonprofit center.

“Physical activity basically does everything a child needs. It breeds teamwork and self confidence, and it’s fun,” he said. “It hits every place a child needs to develop and go forward.”

Fred Doss, co-founder of Good Circle, said the campaign “worked perfectly.”

“What we will have, when it’s finished, is a really lovely facility,” he said.