HISTORY - Wilkommen Memorial Park is a 3.9-acre community park located in Norwood Young America, MN. It serves as a central hub for the hometown amateur baseball team, outdoor recreation, and local gatherings, and is well known for hosting Stiftungsfest, the state's oldest-running community festival.
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| Park entrance |
Old Town was built in the early 1990s and has since become a vibrant part of the community landscape. It served as a charming backdrop to the community park and the bustling ballpark where the Young America Cardinals thrill fans with their baseball games. In October 2023, the old, dilapidated facade was replaced, unveiling a newly revitalized Old Town.
Designed to evoke scenes from historic downtown Young America’s Main Street, the area features a variety of engaging sections: a dug-out for the Cardinals, a press box, and a bell tower housing the original bell from the 1909 City Hall, and the Mankenberg Hotel from 1879, once a key fixture on Main Street. Visitors can also explore a replica of the original State Bank of Young America, built in 1900 and still standing proudly today, as well as a unique concession-and-baseball-storage space resembling a historic livery barn where horses were once kept. The final highlight is the open-air Biergarten, an inviting space perfect for summer picnics and lively gatherings during Stiftungsfest.
It has a painted monument by artist Ray "Bubba" Sorensen II honoring local veterans.
MY EXPERIENCE
Parking - Limited to street parking located a block away. Additionally, there is a church within a few blocks. I observed a considerable amount of parking in a grassy area near the park. The street parking next to the ballfield, which has potential for foul ball damage, was mostly empty.
Spectator Options - The covered grandstand provides ample seating; I estimate a comfortable capacity of 150. Additional seating is provided in a pavilion along the first-base side, just beyond first base. There are also tables along the side of the concession stand, although viewing is not optimal. The larger structure along first base blocks the late-evening sun that can interfere with viewing from the southwest-facing center field. The field is in the city, flanked by streets and homes.
The sound system is high-quality, with no distortion. Very clear and at the right volume. The field lighting is old, yet it provides light for play. The new LED systems are nearly twice the light level and much more uniform. I observed the Hamburg Hawks lose to the Norwood Young America Cardinals, 14-10, in a slugfest.
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| Pavilion near first base |
Concessions - (I prefer a hot dog with a root beer) - The root beer is classic A&W Root Beer in the can, delivering that iconic, refreshing taste. The hot dog was absolutely Fantastic—large, with a crispy skin and bursting with flavor. The popcorn, however, wasn’t quite as fresh and was noticeably salted, but still a satisfying snack.
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SUMMARY COMMENTS
I would gladly attend another game here. The atmosphere is very inviting, and it offers a perfect balance by setting the park right in the middle of the charming old town. Not the same feel for the rural location in farm fields, but it provides a nice alternative for some good baseball.
I would gladly attend another game here. The atmosphere is very inviting, and it offers a perfect balance by setting the park right in the middle of the charming old town. Not the same feel for the rural location in farm fields, but it provides a nice alternative for some good baseball.
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