The Reading Housing Authority has announced the official opening of its Oakbrook Recreation Park.

The park will bring new outdoor recreation opportunities to residents of the authority’s Oakbrook Homes and the broader community, officials said.

“We are incredibly grateful to our partners at the city of Reading,” Stacey Keppen, authority president and CEO, said in a statement. “Without their support, this project would have been delayed while additional funding was pursued through other channels.”

The $1.4 million upgrade is being fully funded by the city using federal community development block grant funds.

Ground broken on baseball field upgrade project in Oakbrook

Officials said the flagship feature — the modernized baseball field with dugouts, equipment storage, outfield and foul-line fencing, foul poles, an electronic scoreboard, an announcer’s booth and accessible spectator seating — is now ready for use.

The authority in partnership with Olivet Boys and Girls Club will host its first baseball game in the park on Thursday at 4 p.m.

The park’s basketball court also received upgrades, including resurfacing and new bleachers in preparation for clinics and leagues.

The park also includes mature trees and a new walking path, benches and picnic grove with three eight-seat tables and charcoal grills.

Officials said a concession stand will be available in the coming weeks for sports event organizers to rent.

The authority said it remains on track to complete the final phase of the project in fall.

This will include a new playground with an area dedicated for use by the Patton Avenue Learning Center, an early childhood center operated on the premises by Opportunity House.

The final phase also will include a pavilion and restroom facilities, made possible through the support of U.S. Rep. Chrissy Houlahan.

The authority said partner agencies are asked to consider delivering services and programming in the park for the benefit of residents of Oakbrook and the greater community.

For more information, email occs@readingha.org.