Washington Park Project

FUNDING UPDATE (As of 4/27/2026):

Over $4,000,000 has been raised, but the project is currently $300,000 short of full funding. While substantial investments have already been secured, increasing construction costs have contributed to this shortfall. Without closing this gap, the project may require adjustments to its original scope.

PROJECT INFORMATION:

For over a century, Washington Park in Detroit Lakes has been more than a ballpark — it’s been a hub for community, memories, and dreams. As Minnesota’s only baseball park on the National Register of Historic Places, it stands as a cherished piece of our heritage. Now, we’re updating it with care — preserving its legacy while creating a safer, more accessible space for events, youth sports, and community connection. This is more than a renovation — it’s an investment in a place where we all belong.

Core Memories

"Besides the years of playing, coaching and managing, the good times in the clubhouse, no memory comes close to Phil Kirchner's walk off home run in the playoffs over Bluffton in a late inning comeback effort." - Brandon Johnson

"Some of the best memories spending hours at the ballpark in the batting cages, practice, and playing for DL Baseball and VFW leagues with incredible friends growing up. Washington Park, and the "OG" Dairy Queen right across the street. Baseball and ice cream dreams!" - Nathan Olander

"Washington Park has provided me with more memories than I can list. They include.... Watching the Laker football team, coached by my dad, play football in the 60s, getting caught throwing dirt clods at the backstop and being caught by DLHS counselor Urban Benewisz. He grabbed me by an ear and started dragging me across the infield. I protested and said, "My dad is the football coach!" Urban squeezed harder.... Attending my sister's DLHS graduation in the 70's.... Watching the famous Eddie Feigner take down a team of DL all stars in fast pitch softball when all he had was a catcher, a shortstop and a 1st baseman... Playing the late game under the lights in the Babe Ruth league. Defeating the Yankees on a Bob Carrier no hitter on the same night Richard Nixon announced his resignation... Climbing over the fence to sneak into one of the very 1st Angel games and being caught by Old Man Fuhs who let us have it, calling us "Cheap SOBs!" Keep in mind we were about 16... and probably the #1 memory.... playing an endless game of tennis racket baseball with my best of friends. The game would begin in June and not end until we returned to school in September. ... Thanks to all who are working hard to afford future youth of DL the opportunity to create their own memories." - Kent Mollberg

"Growing up across the street from Washington Park my early memories were the sounds of baseball. The crack of the bat, the foul ball hitting the metal roof of the grandstand. Standing in line after Little League games for a chance to run the manual scoreboard for the Laker Town Team, which then was in left field...to batting against the King & His Court - Eddie Feigner." - Jim Bruflodt