In late 2023, the Village of Mazomanie received a generous offer from an anonymous donor to upgrade the baseball and softball fields in Lion’s Park to premier-level standards. This presented a unique opportunity for the Village to assess and enhance other areas of the park as well. As a result, over $575,000 worth of improvements were made to Lion’s Park in 2024, significantly elevating this community space for the enjoyment of both residents and visitors.
General Improvements:
- An additional gravel parking lot was constructed near the Walter Road entrance, easing parking congestion during peak times.
- A new paved area was added around Field 2 concessions shed, creating a welcoming space for picnic tables and seating for park-goers.
Shelter improvements:
- The JC’s and Lion’s Shelters received new roofs, and their posts were updated or repainted to restore their appearance and ensure structural integrity.
- The Turk Shelter was re-roofed and newly sided to match the other structures in the park, bringing a cohesive look to the entire area.
Field 1 Improvements:
- New lights were installed, replacing outdated fixtures that no longer met the needs for evening games. The new lighting system brings the field up to collegiate baseball standards.
- a brand-new scoreboard was added in the outfield, enhancing the overall gameday experience.
- The infield was re-graded, and the dirt mix was replaced with a superior mix tailored for our climate. This new mix sheds water quickly, allowing games to proceed as scheduled even after inclement weather.
- An irrigation system was installed for the infield to maintain optimal playing conditions.
- A paved pathway was added from the paved parking lot to the grandstand, improving accessibility for all visitors.
- The grandstand bleachers were repaired, stained, and re-sided to match the aesthetic of the park’s shelters, enhancing both function and visual appeal.
- Both dugouts were updated with concrete flooring, new fencing, sunshades, and benches, providing better facilities for both teams.
- Additional metal bleachers were installed on each side of the field to increase seating capacity.
- Outfield fencing was extended, fully enclosing the field to improve safety.
Field 2 Improvements:
- The infield was replaced with a specialized dirt mix, carefully selected for its ability to shed water quickly, ensuring games can proceed on schedule, even in the event of adverse weather conditions.
- The infield was also reshaped to meet the standards for a premier-level field, improving both its playability and aesthetics.
- An irrigation system was added across the entire field, helping maintain optimal conditions throughout the season.
- Electricity was buried to both batting cages, enabling the use of a pitching machine to support training and practice sessions.
- A new gravel pad was installed behind home plate to accommodate additional seating, specifically for the new bleachers.
- New metal bleachers replaced the older wooden bleachers behind home plate, offering greater durability and comfort for spectators.
- A protective fence cap was added to the existing outfield fence, enhancing safety and ensuring a more polished look.
Field 3 Improvements:
- The infield was replaced with a high-quality dirt mix, chosen for its superior ability to shed water quickly.
- The entire backstop was replaced with a more durable structure, improving both safety and aesthetics.
- New metal dugout benches replaced the previous wooden benches, offering more comfort and durability.
- Fencing was added to fully enclose the field, enhancing safety and creating a more professional atmosphere.
- The scoreboard from Field 1 was relocated to Field 3, giving this field its own scoreboard.
- A gravel pathway was added from the new parking lot to Field 3, improving accessibility and flow for visitors.
- A new gravel pad was installed behind home plate to accommodate the new bleachers.
- New metal bleachers replaced the wooden ones behind home plate.
- A protective fence cap was added to the outfield fence.