On Dec 17, something powerful happened at Baker Park—and it started with young athletes, community pride, and a shared belief that every kid deserves a safe, high-quality place to play.
Together with the Minnesota Vikings and youth from the West Side Boosters, we joined the Saint Paul City Council to officially recognize a $250,000 NFL Foundation Grassroots grant that will help transform the athletic fields at Baker Park. This investment is a major step forward for the Baker-Annapolis neighborhood and the broader West Side community.
Part of Our Equal Play Initiative
The Baker Park Field Improvement Project is one of several investments underway through the Saint Paul Parks Conservancy’s Equal Play Initiative, which focuses on upgrading playgrounds, sports fields, and outdoor learning spaces in neighborhoods where access to high-quality recreational facilities has historically been limited. Equal Play is rooted in a simple idea: a child’s ZIP code should not determine the quality of the place where they learn, play, and grow.
Why Baker Park Matters
Baker Park is a 6.5-acre neighborhood park located next to Cherokee Heights Elementary School and within walking distance of Humboldt High School. For many families, it’s the closest—and most accessible—place for youth sports and unstructured play. More than half of park users arrive on foot, underscoring how essential this park is for families without easy transportation options.
But years of heavy use and poor drainage have taken a toll. The existing natural grass field struggles to recover after rain, creating uneven and sometimes unsafe playing conditions. Despite diligent maintenance, the field can’t keep up with the growing demand from school programs and community leagues.
What the Project Will Do
The Baker Park Field Improvement Project will replace the existing natural grass field with a full-size, multi-use synthetic turf field, designed to support football, soccer, lacrosse, flag football, and community use across all seasons. Planned improvements also include partial fencing, improved drainage, and boulevard tree plantings.
Synthetic turf was chosen to maximize safe playing time, reduce weather-related cancellations, and ensure consistent field conditions for youth programs that already stretch from early spring through late fall.
What’s Next
Site prep is underway and field construction is anticipated in Spring 2026 with a community ribbon-cutting to follow. Once complete, Baker Park will offer expanded field availability, improved safety, and a welcoming space for both organized sports and open community play.
Most importantly, this investment sends a clear message to West Side youth: you matter, your programs matter, and your park is worth investing in.