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by | Feb 6, 2018 | Fruiting Tree

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Chain of Lakes Park was a baseball field in Winter Haven, Florida. The stadium was built in 1966 and held 7,000 people. It was the spring training home of the Boston Red Sox from 1966 to 1992, after which the Red Sox moved operations to City of Palms Park in Fort Myers.

In 1993, the Cleveland Indians moved into Chain of Lakes Park after their own stadium in Homestead was destroyed by Hurricane Andrew. The stadium served as Cleveland's spring training home until their last game on March 27, 2008. Cleveland moved their spring training operations to Goodyear Ballpark in Goodyear, Arizona, in 2009.

The future of the ballpark and facility was long in doubt as its location on Lake Lulu became valuable for commercial and residential development. In 2011, developers proposed a multipurpose redevelopment of the site, including hotels, restaurants, shops, and a movie theater.[2] In December 2020, Winter Haven and Polk County agreed to demolish the stadium and replace it with baseball diamonds and general-purpose athletic fields.[3] Demolition began in April 2024.[4][5][6]

References

  1. ^ "Winter Haven's spring training heritage". The Ledger. Lakeland, Florida. July 17, 2011. Retrieved February 18, 2019.
  2. ^ Rousos, Rick (January 26, 2011). "Plans Advancing for 'The Landings' Shopping Center in Winter Haven". The Ledger. Lakeland, Florida. Retrieved June 1, 2024.
  3. ^ Baker, Charles A. III (December 23, 2020). "Chain of Lakes Park expansion would include demolition of former Spring Training stadium". Winter Haven Sun. Retrieved August 27, 2023.
  4. ^ Lackritz, Matt (April 7, 2024). "Demolition of former minor league baseball stadium begins Monday". Bay News 9. Retrieved May 31, 2024.
  5. ^ Petit, Rebecca (April 10, 2024). "Old Winter Haven MLB spring training stadium demolished for redevelopment". ABC Action News. Retrieved May 31, 2024.
  6. ^ Bayron, Carla (April 15, 2024). "Demolition begins on historic Winter Haven baseball stadium to prep for renovations". Fox 13 News. Retrieved May 31, 2024.

External links

28°0′2″N 81°43′39″W / 28.00056°N 81.72750°W / 28.00056; -81.72750


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