Thomas Park Softball Complex
Mankato, MN | Sports + Recreation
Overview
ISG worked with the City of Mankato to master plan Thomas Park athletic facilities. The plan offered solutions for a new site layout to accommodate field improvements and address drainage issues.
Opportunity
The softball complex was in dire need of improvements as the fields were in such close proximity that they were creating unsafe playing conditions and drainage issues were causing unnecessary flooding, resulting in cancelled games.
Solution
ISG worked through an alternative analysis process with the City, local high schools, and Mankato Area Girls Fastpitch Association, exploring cost and programming implications by comparing five to six new fields with synthetic turf versus natural grass, and at-grade versus recessed accessible dugouts for the championship field, as well as spectator enhancements including an ADA accessible playground, new concessions area, and increased parking capacity with improved circulation. The analysis process informed the final master plan layout and established a base project for the City to implement immediately. The plan now acts as a roadmap for future enhancements as funding becomes available.