Memorial Park - Dundas Dukes

HISTORY

Park Entrance Statue

Memorial Park is on the Cannon River in Dundas, Minnesota.  The ballpark hosts over 60 games annually, including the Dukes (Class B team with the Minnesota Baseball Association), Northfield Legion, Northfield High School, Dukes over-35 team, the Milltown Outlaws with the Federal League Class A, and the Minnesota State High School League Section Playoffs.  

The Dundas Baseball Association, the Dukes' parent organization, maintains and funds the ballpark.  The Dukes rely on a network of dedicated volunteers and a small seasonal staff to manicure the four-acre complex.  The 2024 season was challenging as the Cannon River experienced significant flooding.  Once the flood receded, the volunteers quickly cleaned the field for play.

The park underwent a roughly $100,000 renovation in 2021, which included updating the main grandstand, a 500-square-foot press box, and a new audio system.  Memorial Park co-hosted the 2022 Minnesota Baseball Association Class B and C State Tournaments with Miesville and Faribault.  In 2016, the park renovated its grandstand area.  The $100,000 project moved fans 12 feet closer to home plate.  It included 105 stadium chairs, a tie-back net system to replace cyclone fencing, an ADA-access ramp, and three flower garden areas.


MY EXPERIENCE

Parking—The access road to the park has approximately 25 angled parking spots.  Other parking is on the grass of the smaller field to the north.  Most of the parking is protected from foul balls.  There is also parking on the residential streets east of the field.


Spectator options - Primary seating is in 105 stadium-style seats behind home plate, which are large and partially covered.  Bleachers are also located along the first and third bases and in standing areas throughout the park.  The first-base bleachers have seat-back rails, whereas the visitor bleachers are traditional bleachers along the third base line.  The sound system is outstanding and well-balanced.  




Concessions - Hot dog and root beer (my favorite) - The Concession stand is behind the home team dugout.  The options are more than the typical ballpark with chicken, fries, and cheese curds.  The prices are higher than the parks I have visited. 





The hot dog was unique and not a typical thin hot dog.  It was not significantly ground; it was more like a sausage in texture.  It was definitely a hot dog, and the spice mix was perfect.  Ordering a second hot dog would be easy, but I limited myself to one.  As for the beverage, it was A&W Root Beer in a can, which is common.

SUMMARY COMMENTS

The team’s fan base is evident, and they came well-adorned in their official gear.  The atmosphere is outstanding, and the layout must place this park in the elite category for townball fields.  You really get a sense of community just watching the crowd.  I would estimate there were well over 100 spectators.  Dundas has an impressive merchandise booth, selling everything from Dukes caps to t-shirts to can koozies.  Attending a game is quite an experience, and I highly suggest visiting the park.

Unlike many fields, there is no admission upon entering.  About mid-game, they walk through the spectators with a helmet for donations.  

It is hard to find anything wrong with the facility.  The only upgrade I look forward to is replacing the older lighting, which has significant glare compared to the newer high-end LED systems you see at St. Francis Bonin Field or Elko's Fredrickson Field.

Attending a game is quite an experience, and I recommend visiting the park.


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