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Des Moines 50th Birthday Special Events

Des Moines Field House Park Grandstand
and Ballfield Project

With the help of the Des Moines community, the Des Moines Legacy Foundation and outside grants, the City plans to restore, preserve and bring up to code, a community treasure and regional historic resource, the Baseball Grandstand, Field #1 and the Playarea at Des Moines Field House Park.  The grandstand is currently closed due to structural deterioration.

Des Moines Field House Park was built in 1938 by a dedicated civic group with assistance by the Works Progress Act.  The park became the first park in the King County Parks system. There are no other remaining historic wooden baseball grandstands in the King County Park System and only a handful of wooden grandstands standing in the northwest. 

The park received King County Landmark designation in 1984 due to its significance as a strong example of Depression-era public architecture also known as CCC-style or Park Service Rustic and was also identified as the first King County Park and is eligible for listing on both the Washington and National Historic Registers.

The Grandstand Restoration Project includes the following improvements: 1) The removal of existing superstructure (walls, roof framing, roof sheathing, and roofing) 2) Design and reconstruction of the superstructure; 3) The reuse, repair or replacement of existing trim, railing, etc.; 4) Repair to some areas of the seating structure which includes seating and seat framing; 5) Priming and painting of all new materials, as well existing surfaces.  An ADA survey will be completed as part of the project to determine needed ADA modifications. The Legacy Foundation also plans to work with the Des Moines Arts Commission to provide future artist designed enhancments.

Significant funds have been awarded to the Grandstand project through grants from the State of Washington Heritage Capital Fund $420,000 and 4Culture $10,000. Outside funding for Ballfield #1 and the Play area come from the Boeing Mariners Care Athletic Field Grant $100,000,  State Recreation and Conservation Funding Board Grant $75,000, King County Youth Sports Facilties Grant $75,000 and the Rotary Club of Des Moines $10,000.

Work is scheduled to begin in Spring 2009, but we need your help!

Additional donations are needed to meet the community fundraising goal of $50,000. Tax deductible contributions from $1 up to any amount may be made to: Grandstand Project c/o the Des Moines Legacy Foundation, a 501c3 non-profit organization, at 1000 S. 220th Street, Des Moines, WA  or call 206-870-6527 for more information.