Dunkin' Donuts Park

As Hartford sought a home for its new AA team, The Hartford Yard Goats, it also wanted a response to community recreational needs, with a bigger vision of encouraging redevelopment of a vacant district bordering its downtown area. The resulting 6,121-seat facility, sited at a highly visible location and transit confluence at the northern edge of the city’s downtown, achieves those goals and more, creating a vibrant destination and gathering place that draws crowds and welcomes its diverse community. The park’s human-scale, open perimeter sits comfortably in its city block like urban ballparks of old, and it bridges a nearby neighborhood. Inside, a variety of spaces encourage social and corporate gatherings, while the low perimeter features the city as back drop. This ballpark’s success in a time when minor-league parks struggle proves the power of this model. It contributes to urban street life, rather than overwhelming it. It is the first phase of a planned redevelopment of the Downtown North Hartford (DoNo) District.