District 5 City Commissioner Regina I. Hill invites the Central Florida community to visit the historic Tinker Field on Saturday, April 4, 2015.
On March 23, the Orlando City Council voted to celebrate Orlando’s history by designating Tinker Field as an Orlando Historic Landmark. Additionally, District 5 City Commissioner Regina Hill and the rest of the Orlando City Council are working with community partners and history experts to develop a historic marker or display for the site that will recognize the significant events.
Originally constructed in 1923, Tinker Field is the most historic of all the Orlando Venues entertainment and sports venues. Tinker Field has seen a lot of baseball played on its turf, including stints as home field for minor league teams like the Orlando Bulldogs, Orlando Twins, Orlando Cubs and the Orlando Rays. Major League Baseball teams like the Cincinnati Reds, Brooklyn Dodgers and Minnesota Twins have also utilized the field for spring training camps.
Tinker Field has also hosted major iconic figures like Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., who spoke at the field in a 1964 rally, and Jack Kerouac, who would often enjoy games from the left field bleachers.
The recent $207 million renovation of the Citrus Bowl absorbed a significant portion of Tinker Field and the City Council balked at the $10 million price tag to renovate the facility, including grandstands and stadium. When the dust settles all that will be left of historic Tinker Field are ‘historic’ designations and markers.
Anyway… still show up for free food, entertainment and photo opportunities on the baseball mound!
WHEN:
Saturday, April 4, 2015
10:00 a.m. – 1:00 p.m.
WHERE:
Tinker Field
South Tampa Avenue
PARKING:
Lot G
