By Bill Brady

Langford Park is getting an outdoor makeover.

What were once two small baseball diamonds — so small that even the littlest of kids could swat balls over the fences onto the adjoining field — will become one larger field and a smaller “multi-use lawn.” Coupled with the pristine new tennis courts installed last year, the improvements mark a new chapter for a park that has long been at the heart of neighborhood life.

Construction on the field improvements began in early July.

“We anticipate construction to be completed this fall,” said Alice Messer, manager of design and construction for St. Paul Parks and Recreation. “New field lighting might be a bit behind, but otherwise October is a good estimate. Fortunately, there have been no significant weather delays, just a few rainy days which is typical.”

The ball field will have new player benches, backstop fencing, athletic field lighting, a much-improved irrigation and storm water management system and a new pavement layout on the south and west sides of the Recreation Center building.

The wintertime ice rinks will remain completely unaffected by the project, ensuring uninterrupted recreational use, and all the existing trees will remain in place.

The project is funded by the so-called “1% Common Cent Sales Tax,” a one-cent increase in the city sales tax approved by voters in 2023. According to the City of St. Paul website, revenue from the tax increase should generate $1 billion over 20 years, earmarked for “improvements to the city’s regionally significant roads and nationally acclaimed parks and recreation facilities.” 

Bill Brady is the Bugle copy editor.

Photo cutline: Langford Park field improvements site plan. Image from stpaul.gov.