Arcata Ballpark - Arcata CA

City:: Arcata, CA
Site Type:: Parks and Recreation, Athletic Courts and Fields
New Deal Agencies:: Works Progress Administration (WPA), Work Relief Programs
Quality of Information:: Moderate
Marked:: No
Site Survival:: Partially Extant

Description

The Works Progress Administration (WPA) developed a municipal baseball park in Arcata, California, just north of the City Hall. The work was first approved in 1936, finalized in 1937 and then completed in 1938 (WPA funding was greatly reduced in 1937 and then pumped up again in 1938).

This is full-sized ball park, with a grandstand behind home plate, has been upgraded over time, but the entrance and barrier behind the grandstand appear to be original (wood). The bleachers, lights, field and fencing all appear to be much newer. It is still in use (and hard to view because the fencing is blocked with wooden slats, perhaps to keep non-paying viewers away?)

The WPA project card in 1937 describes the work, which cost just over $11,000: “Complete construction of municipal athletic field, including draining, grading, constructing grandstand, bleachers, dressing rooms and children’s playground, together with incidental work.”

We found a grandstand and side bleachers; dressing rooms are probably in two low buildings adjacent to the field on each side. No children’s playground was evident.