PULASKI, Va. – Calfee Park is hitting a major milestone in 2025. The venerable ballpark will be celebrating its 90th anniversary this year with commemorative promotions planned throughout the summer on Pulaski River Turtles game nights.
“Calfee Park is a special place, and our baseball community is blessed to call it home,” Calfee Park and Pulaski River Turtles general manager JW Martin said. “There is such a rich legacy here, and we’re excited to put a spotlight on Calfee Park’s history and heritage this year.”
Erected in 1935 through a grant from the Works Progress Administration, Calfee Park was originally designed to be a multi-use athletic facility with baseball dimensions rivaling Major League fields. A local government committee of six, helmed by Mayor E.W. Calfee, oversaw the unprecedented project. The facility was dedicated in Mayor Calfee’s honor on Oct. 11, 1935. It was reported to have cost $25,000 to build.
The iconic stone entrance at Calfee Park was designed by J.L. Vaughan of Muire Monumental Works and was constructed of native stone from Draper Mountain. The enduring medieval-styled landmark is the only original structural component of the facility still in existence.
During its affiliated years, Calfee Park was recognized as one of the top 10 oldest Minor League ballparks still in operation in the United States. The facility is listed in the National Register of Historic Places and the Virginia Landmarks Register. It has been home to Appalachian League baseball clubs since 1946.
Calfee Park underwent its first major renovation of the modern era in 1999. Following an ownership change in 2015, the Shelor Motor Mile began a generational transformation of Calfee Park through a series of award-winning infrastructure improvements. In 2024, the facility was donated to Pulaski County.
A commemorative promotional program celebrating Calfee Park’s 90th anniversary will coincide with Pulaski River Turtles home games this year, and will include giveaways, merchandise and other promotions. More details on the program will be revealed later this spring.
In addition to the Pulaski River Turtles’ 24-game Appalachian League home schedule, Calfee Park is slated to host numerous spring college baseball events in 2025, as well as a fall schedule consisting of amateur and youth sporting events. The 2025 Appalachian League schedule can be found here. More event announcements are forthcoming.
