Chaske Athletic Park - Chaska Cubs - Chaska, MN

HISTORY

From 1877 to the 1940s, various community baseball teams, such as the Silver Stars, Rexhalls, and White Diamonds, played at multiple local fields. These included a field near Second Street and another across the Minnesota River by the Valley Ballroom. In 1928, the Chaska Cubs, the area's premier town team, were officially formed. They achieved notable success, winning state amateur titles in 1932, 1947, 1971, and 1987. 

In 1950, the community, supported by a stock-selling fundraising campaign and donations from Greater Chaska, Inc., and the Chaska Athletic Association, organized local volunteers to design and construct the field and grandstands. When it opened, the park featured a classic covered wooden grandstand and the state's first electronic scoreboard. In 1995, the field briefly became a venue for professional baseball with the short-lived Chaska Valley Buccaneers. 

In 2009, community members and historical groups successfully defended the classic mid-century park from a highway bridge project, preserving its charm, wooden seats, and natural turf. Located near the Minnesota River, the park has historically experienced seasonal floods, leading to the development of community-driven flood-mitigation protocols to protect this cherished sanctuary.

Athletic Park in Chaska, Minnesota, is widely regarded as the premier amateur ballpark in the state. Established in 1950, it showcases a classic mid-20th-century design with original wooden seats, a covered grandstand, cinder-block dugouts, and a natural grass surface meticulously maintained by dedicated volunteers. Its historic charm and well-preserved features make it a significant landmark for local baseball enthusiasts.

The aesthetics of the ballpark extend beyond its structure. Located between the Minnesota River and sloping hills, and surrounded by tall trees, the facility offers a picturesque setting. It is considered one of the most beautiful ballparks in the country and retains a nostalgic small-town baseball charm.

The Minnesota River has flooded Athletic Park multiple times this century, most recently in 2014. To safeguard the historic stadium from future floods, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers constructed a 710-foot-long, 30-foot-wide tall grass berm surrounding approximately 75% of the ballfield. Although the cost was $300,000, civic leaders deemed the investment necessary to prevent the significant repair costs associated with flood damage.

MY EXPERIENCE

Parking

The parking options are limited to a gravel lot located north and west of the field, with additional on-street parking available. Access to the parking lot is one-way; recently, a homeowner maneuvering his boat into his driveway blocked the only street for about five minutes, causing cars to back up several blocks. Residents around the area often experience inconvenience due to parking and traffic restrictions during each game.

Spectator Options

Athletic Park is an example of mid-20th-century ballpark construction and has been well maintained throughout its existence. The old wooden seats are not as comfortable as modern theater-style seating, but many in attendance bring a seat cushion or chair back. The covered grandstand protects patrons from the sun. The ballpark offers a lot of history. There are old newspaper articles and photos illustrating the team’s history, a plaque commemorating the first game played at the stadium, and a chart highlighting the extent of significant flooding throughout the facility’s history. Outstanding options; could easily accommodate over 1,000 fans. Main historic-looking grandstand and open-air bleachers just beyond the dugouts. The sound system is solid, with no static. The field is equipped with very old, assumed HPS lighting. I attended a game during the day and could not see the quality. 

The park is a very popular area for children, with a bronze statue, flowers in Cubs’ helmets, and wooden cut-outs of Cubs created and painted by local high school students. There are also old seats and a play area for the young ones in attendance.

Hallway entrance	Walls loaded with history

 The massive press box that once stood on the roof but was moved under the grandstand roof due to weather concerns is now a collection of old baseball jerseys, news clippings, and plastic owls used to scare away pigeons. The seating area down the right field baseline offers fans chair-back seating, and a basic electric scoreboard adorns right center field.

Concessions - (I prefer a hot dog with a root beer)

There is a main concession area underneath the grandstand with two serving windows. One serves alcohol, including Miller selections and local and iconic Grain Belt beer for $3- $4 per can. The food served at the stadium is basic, with common ballpark staples like hot dogs, hamburgers, cheeseburgers, popcorn, peanuts, and candy. Ice cream sandwiches and bars sell.  

Popcorn was smaller than typical and $1. Very salty. Higher than any others to date. A&W root beer is provided.  The hot dog is smaller, and only catsup and mustard are available. The hot dog was cold and had an average taste. Slight crisp skin, but it is on the bottom half of those reviewed. Quite a bit of pepper or spice. The only condiments offered were catsup and mustard.

SUMMARY COMMENTS

I wholeheartedly believe Athletic Park is a quality location to enjoy a game. It is just below Dundas, Miesville, Jordan, and a few others that I consider the best amateur baseball stadiums. This timeless baseball stadium is meticulously maintained and continues to welcome baseball enthusiasts after nearly seventy years.

Community Park - Carver Black Sox - Carver, MN

HISTORY

The Carver Black Sox were established in 1948. The Black Sox play their home games at Community Park (Woody Swanson Field) in Carver, MN. Carver currently competes in Class B within District 7 of the Crow River Valley League. It is our sincere hope that the Carver Black Sox games serve as a gathering place for our community and a source of community pride.

Carver, Minnesota, established along the Minnesota River in 1852, is one of the region's best-preserved 19th-century river towns. Named for British explorer Jonathan Carver, it initially served as a key gateway and trading center for early immigrants. Its location near Carver Creek and the Minnesota River fueled growth, and by the mid-1850s it had flourished as a steamboat port with hotels, blacksmith shops, and general stores. Settler Axel Jorgenson arrived in the winter of 1851–1852, followed by the Carver Land Company, which included Territorial Governor Alexander Ramsey, leading to the town's naming. In 1877, Carver was officially incorporated as a village and became a vital commercial hub within Carver County.

The Minneapolis and St. Louis Railway's arrival in 1871 shifted trade away from river transport, triggering economic decline. Later challenges, including the Prohibition era and the Great Depression, further slowed development. In 1965, a major flood on the upper river damaged the lower part of old Carver, prompting the construction of a floodwall and local restoration efforts. The historic district, preserved through initiatives by groups such as Carver-on-the-Minnesota, was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1980, protecting nearly 90 19th-century historic structures.

MY EXPERIENCE

Parking is located a short distance away in a parking lot that is safe from foul balls, unless during a second game on the first field. A trail traverses through a park, passing by a children’s playground and a pavilion equipped with concessions and modern restrooms.

Spectator Options - There are two five-tier traditional metal bleachers behind home plate, with ample space to place a chair in the shade. The field has no lights, so there are no night game options. They used a high-quality portable sound system that made the message clear. The field has a backstop, a heavily traveled road, and very little landscaping. There is nothing special about watching a game at this field.

Concessions - (I prefer a hot dog with a root beer) - They had no root beer or popcorn. The hot dog has crisp skin with good flavor. Not very plump; very small, which detracted from the taste. Would be great if it were slightly larger.

SUMMARY COMMENTS

The game against the Prior Lake Mudcats was enjoyable as a baseball game. The townball charm of a “Field of Dreams” location is not present. 

As a side note, the game was much less enjoyable because two guys were wandering around smoking cigars. I wasn't sure if smoking in the City Park was legal, but these two seemed extremely entitled.