Walker Stadium
Portland, OR
Review by Mike
Walker Stadium was built in 1956 on the eastern side of Portland in Lents Park. It wasn’t until the ballpark’s 60th year that it acquired a regular tenant by way of the Portland Pickles of the summer collegiate West Coast League in 2016. The Pickles have been immensely popular, playing to capacity crowds hungry for Portland baseball since the departure of the Beavers after the 2010 season.
The stadium was heavily renovated prior to the inaugural season, including new bleachers and a press box to replace aging and condemned structures. While much of the stadium may be new build, it retains the feel of a nearly 70-year-old community ballpark. I was not able to gain entry during a morning drop-by on my way to the airport, but my understanding is that the Pickles have a great gameday vibe.
The view beyond the outfield fence is striking, with a stand of towering evergreen trees just on the other side of the fence. Under all of these trees are found dozens of picnic tables that are inside the stadium’s perimeter fence. There is no advertising on the outfield fence, allowing those folks to watch the fame through the fence, so it seems that a picnic in the outfield is a popular seating choice at Pickles games.
As a ballpark, it’s a pretty basic affair, but there is definitely something here, an echo of the excitement of Pickles fans packing this little old stadium on an Oregon summer night. I really need to make a point to get back here during the WCL season catch a game.
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2024
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N/A
