Lake Olmstead Stadium

Lake Olmstead Stadium was a Minor League Baseball park located in Augusta, Georgia. It served as the home of the Augusta GreenJackets, a Class A affiliate in the South Atlantic League, from its opening in 1995 until the team's departure following the 2018 season. The stadium was situated on the shore of the namesake Lake Olmstead, near the Augusta Canal and the campus of the Augusta University.

History

The stadium's construction was driven by the need for a modern facility to replace the aging Heaton Stadium, which had been used by professional baseball in Augusta for decades. Financed by the City of Augusta at a cost of $4.5 million, the ballpark broke ground in 1994 and opened for play in April 1995. It was built specifically for the Augusta GreenJackets, who were then an affiliate of the Pittsburgh Pirates. The team's ownership, including figures like Cal Ripken Jr. who purchased the club in 2010, operated the franchise here for over two decades. The venue's history concluded when the GreenJackets moved to the new SRP Park in North Augusta, South Carolina across the Savannah River.

Description and features

The single-deck stadium featured a classic, intimate design with a seating capacity of 4,822, including both fixed seats and general admission bleacher areas. Its most distinctive characteristic was the scenic view over the left-field fence, which overlooked the tranquil waters of Lake Olmstead and the surrounding parkland. The facility included standard amenities such as concession stands, a team merchandise store, and a picnic pavilion for group events. The playing field consisted of natural grass and featured dimensions typical for a Minor League park, with distances of approximately 330 feet to the left and right field poles and 400 feet to straightaway center field.

Events and usage

Primarily hosting Minor League Baseball games for the Augusta GreenJackets, the stadium was a summer hub for family entertainment in the Central Savannah River Area. Beyond baseball, the venue occasionally hosted other events, including community concerts, charity fundraisers, and local high school baseball tournaments. The GreenJackets' affiliation shifted over the years from the Pittsburgh Pirates to the San Francisco Giants and later the Atlanta Braves, bringing future Major League Baseball stars like Madison Bumgarner and Freddie Freeman to play on its field. The annual fireworks displays on Independence Day were particularly popular draws for residents of Richmond County and the broader CSRA.

Renovations and future

The stadium saw only minor upgrades during its operational life, such as improved lighting and scoreboard enhancements. Discussions about major renovations or a replacement began in the early 2010s as the facility aged and fell behind the standards of newer South Atlantic League ballparks. These talks culminated in the decision to build SRP Park as part of the Riverside Village development in South Carolina. Following the GreenJackets' departure, the vacant stadium was demolished in 2020. The future of the site, owned by the City of Augusta, remains part of long-term discussions concerning the redevelopment of the Lake Olmstead basin and its integration with the Augusta Canal National Heritage Area.

Category:Baseball venues in Georgia (U.S. state) Category:Sports venues in Augusta, Georgia Category:Defunct baseball venues in the United States