What’s ahead for Durham's historic baseball park?

DURHAM SPORTS COMMISSION

The city of Durham has launched a feasibility study to shape the future of Durham Athletic Park, the home of minor league baseball and youth sports.

Downtown Durham’s real estate is hotter than an Arizona desert. And smack dab in the middle on West Corporation Street is 5.42 acres.

This area has brought fun, excitement and joy to many of Durham’s youth, their families and supporters. It’s kept kids in school and eased parents’ minds over where their children were during the summer.

That may be about to change.

The city has launched a feasibility study to shape the future of the historic Durham Athletic Park.

Don’t confuse the DAP with the Durham Bulls Athletic Park across from the American Tobacco Complex. The Bulls did play there back in the day, and the classic 1988 movie “Bull Durham” was filmed there.
But since the building of the new stadium, the DAP has been home to minor league baseball and youth sports, particularly Long Ball-Triple Play League.

I’ve covered Long Ball since its inception 15 years ago. The Durham inner-city baseball league is comprised of ages 13 to 19 divided into two divisions: junior and senior. Long Ball runs from May to August and concludes with playoffs and a championship winner.

Opening night is always special with invited guests, sponsors, local talent and coaches giving support. Some of the teams practice and play at various venues like Crest Street Park and Hillside High during the regular season, but everybody plays at the DAP during championship week.

“The DAP holds deep sentimental value for many,” said Jina Propst, director of the General Services Department. “We’re working alongside experts to listen to all voices and create a plan that reflects the needs and wants of our community while also preserving its historic character.”

The neighborhoods and businesses surrounding the DAP have become upscale. But for us sports purists, it is a wonderful, quaint and intimate ballpark with not a bad seat in the house.
However, the city, which owns the property and co-manages it along with the Durham Bulls, says it’s being underutilized as just a baseball field.

“Given that this is publicly owned land, the City of Durham does NOT seek to sell or use this land for private use such as privately owned or rented condominiums. Open space is lacking in the urban center of Durham and this space shall remain accessible to the public,” the online survey says.

Long Ball President Pat Jenkins James urged supporters on Facebook to make their voices heard.

“This is the only baseball field my senior teams can play on that isn’t too small,” she wrote. “…It is crucial for the city to understand the significance of preserving the DAP as a baseball field for athletes dedicated to continuing their beloved sport. This space means a lot to athletes who are passionate about the game and wish to see it thrive in the community.”

Residents can fill out the online study by Feb. 28 or attend several pop-up events to share their vision.

Perkins & Will, an architect and design firm, was awarded a $179,000 contract last year to lead the study that will be split into three phases:

• Data collection and community input

• Shaping the vision

• Finalizing the plan that will be presented to the City Council.

Bonitta Best is sports editor at The Triangle Tribune in Durham.

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