Dimensions: LF-315, RF-315
8040 80th St S, Cottage Grove, MN 55016
Field Name:
Park is one of the few fields in the SEC that is named and dedicated to an individual. Granville O. Smith taught in District 833 for 45 years. In his 32 years as coach, he led the Park baseball team to 14 conference championships and nine second-place finishes.
He was among nine inductees into the first Park High School Hall of Fame in 2005.
Ballpark atmosphere:
The ballpark is surrounded by a small hill that creates some of the best sightlines in the SEC. There are a number of great places along the hill to place your lawn chair or even pack dinner and have a picnic while watching the game.
Well established trees are plentiful along the outfield fences and the first baseline creating a serene setting. In addition, the trees lining the field creates a “small town” ballpark feeling. Unfortunately like a number of other ballparks in the SEC, the field is located a good distance away from the school so student attendance is not strong.
Additional features are brick dugouts (not chain link fence dugout) with safely fencing in front of the dugouts to protect the players.
A portable PA system is used as there is not one installed at the field itself, along with a boom box to play songs for Park players as they come up to bat.
Rest Room Accommodations:
Port-a-potty.
Shade:
Along the first baseline and behind home plate there are plenty of established trees and shade. There are a few smaller trees along the visitors’ dugout on the third baseline. The field faces southwest so despite trees being located around the field, during late afternoon games the shade does not fall on the bleachers.
Therefore, if you sit in the bleachers behind home plate or set up your lawn chair near it, it would be a good idea to bring sunscreen and/or an umbrella.
Seating/Visitor Dugout Location:
Park’s bleachers are among the largest in the SEC so there is plenty of seating. The bleachers are your standard hard aluminum with no backrests.
Parking/walking distance:
The best place to park is in the parking lot located behind the ice arena which is located just west of the school. The walk from this lot is short as it is located just down from the left-field line. However, this lot is small and if it is full and you are forced to park elsewhere and the walking distance increases substantially.
Food:
No on-site concessions.
Places to eat before/after game:
You will pass plenty of fast food chain restaurants on your way to the game as you turn off of Highway 61 and head east on 80th Street South.
If your preference is “non-chain” restaurants you most likely will not find much to choose from in Cottage Grove. However, if you find yourself on Highway 61 driving to or from the game there are two restaurants in Newport, and one restaurant in St. Paul Park, that definitely fall into the “non-chain” category: Tinucci’s, the North Pole Restaurant, and the Park Café.