The Park – Evansville Nature & Recreation Area: Connections for the Future

The Evansville Convention & Visitors Bureau’s proposed vision for “The Park – Evansville Nature and Recreation Area” recommends the development of a world-class nature, sports and recreation area that will enhance the quality of life in the Evansville community for generations to come. The Park will help our community attract and keep young people and their families, assist in economic development activities, and position Evansville as a destination for sports tourism.

When completed, The Park will connect more than 25 healthy, family-friendly activities ranging from hiking through the largest urban old-growth forest in the country, to sports such as softball, tennis and year-round ice-skating. No other mid-sized community in the United States will have a comprehensive community recreation area like The Park.

The vision plan for The Park integrates existing community nature, sports and recreation assets on both sides of the Lloyd Expressway, while adding a state-of-the-art, eight-plex, multipurpose softball/baseball complex that utilizes land currently occupied by Roberts Stadium and its surrounding parking lots.

The vision plan for The Park encompasses nature, recreation and sports venues on both sides of the Lloyd Expressway. For a list of assets, visit our Assets Links page.

The vision plan for The Park calls for the construction of an eight-plex multipurpose softball/baseball complex. These fields will be used for adult league play and weekend tournaments between March and October, including regional and national tournaments scheduled for several weekends throughout the season.

The Destination Evansville committee of the Evansville Convention & Visitors Bureau estimates that the economic impact of tourism generated by softball/baseball tournaments when all eight fields are fully operational, could reach $10 to $18 million annually.

The projected cost of the softball/baseball complex is not to exceed $18 million. This project cost includes the development of an eight-plex multipurpose softball/baseball complex, the demolition costs for Roberts Stadium, the relocation and construction of basketball courts, sand volleyball courts and handball courts, the rehabilitation of the current ADA playground and engineering design fees associated with this project. These dollars also include a significant contribution of funds for the development of an operating and capital development endowment fund, which will be used to offset any potential operating deficits and support future capital development improvements to the complex.

We believe that this project will be a complete win-win for both our community and our core mission of continuing to increase the tourism base in Vanderburgh County. We appreciate our community’s involvement and input on this project