| Wolfson Park was a grand old place to see a game. After passing by it in 1999, I was finally able to take in a game during its final season in 2002. It was situated next to and shared a parking lot with Alltel Stadium, home of the NFL’s Jacksonville Jaguars. Unlike Tinker Stadium in Orlando, the football stadium fortunately did not provide the backdrop.
The park featured a large covered grandstand that stretched from first base all the way around to third. Its exterior boasted a red brick facade and well-landscaped sidewalks. The colorful concourse was located under the grandstand, as was typical of most older ballparks. Several concession and souvenir stands were located there, offering a variety of food options at reasonable prices. Programs, however, were a bit expensive at $4.
A range of seating options existed, with the best spots not necessarily being the ones closest to the field. A thick chain-link fence obscured many of the seats in the grandstand behind home plate. Interestingly, the first three rows of seats were positioned in front of the dugouts, allowing fans to look directly into them.
Wolfson Park had a couple of distinctive features—the outfield wall stood 25 feet high all the way around, and the infield was entirely grass. The atmosphere reflected what was typical of minor league parks, with familiar between-inning promotions such as mascot races, dizzy bat contests, and dice games. Music played throughout the game, though the team’s limited selections often led to repetitive playlists. Fortunately, sound effects were used sparingly.
By 2002, Wolfson Park remained one of the few classic minor league stadiums still in use. Sadly, after the season ended, the park was demolished to make room for additional parking.
A new ballpark, The Baseball Grounds of Jacksonville, was built nearby. While I’m sure the new stadium is beautiful, it likely does not replicate the classic charm of Wolfson Park.
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