Diamonds in the rough: Chesterfield plans to create destination softball complex at Daniel Park
Based on the success of River City Sportsplex as both a community amenity and a sports tourism…
Based on the success of River City Sportsplex as both a community amenity and a sports tourism asset that drives economic activity through visitor spending, Chesterfield is working to apply that model across all five of its magisterial districts.
In fiscal year 2023, Chesterfield hosted 83 events that produced an estimated $48 million in local economic impact — $36 million, or 75%, of which came from events at River City Sportsplex.
Over the same period, the 105-acre Genito Road athletic complex also booked more than 4,000 field rentals by 100-plus local organizations.
To continue expanding Chesterfield’s facility offerings beyond rectangular field usage, while also enhancing the user experience for both residents and visitors, the Sports, Visitation and Entertainment Department has partnered with Parks and Recreation and County Administration on a plan for the development of new venues and refurbishment of existing public facilities.
The first project to be undertaken as part of that initiative is the creation of a six-field destination softball complex at Harry G. Daniel Park at Ironbridge.
Parks and Recreation recently reclaimed operational control of Daniel Park’s softball fields, which had been leased to a private operator for more than a decade. Recognizing the fields need extensive maintenance to accommodate local play, the department has allocated nearly $1 million in its FY2024 budget to complete a series of fundamental enhancements: Regraded fields for drainage and surface consistency, new infield material, new irrigation, new sod and new outfield fencing.
Work is under way and the fields are scheduled to reopen in early June 2024.
Parks and Recreation has identified the following improvements that will directly impact the on- and off-field user experience at Daniel Park:
- Replacing the existing bathroom with a new facility that is connected to public sewer and designed around visitor and player requirements for fastpitch softball tournaments, to include dressing areas for umpires
- Replacing all outfield fencing and utilizing temporary fencing for field setup flexibility
- Installing new backstops and dugouts and improved spectator seating
- Creating a championship field with covered spectator seating and an enclosed press box for high-profile games, tournaments and events
- Providing shade and other aesthetic amenities in the site’s existing common areas
- Repaving and striping the parking lot
Chesterfield.gov Posted on October 4, 2023
