Washington Park (baseball)

Washington Park was the name of several different baseball parks, primarily in the Brooklyn borough of New York City. The most famous of these was the home field of the Brooklyn Dodgers (originally known by various other names, including the Bridegrooms and Superbas) for the majority of their time in Brooklyn, from 1883 to 1912.

There were actually three distinct ballparks that bore the name "Washington Park" and served as the Dodgers' home:

• Washington Park I (1883-1891): Located near 5th Avenue and 3rd Street in Brooklyn. This park was relatively rudimentary and prone to fires.

• Washington Park II (1891): Built on the same site after the first park burned down. It was a short-lived replacement, also destroyed by fire.

• Washington Park III (1898-1912): Located on a new site bounded by 4th Avenue, 5th Avenue, 3rd Street, and 1st Street. This is the Washington Park most commonly referred to in baseball history. This version was larger and more modern than its predecessors. It was known for its odd dimensions, particularly the short right-field fence. It was eventually replaced by Ebbets Field.

While the Brooklyn Dodgers are most closely associated with Washington Park, other baseball teams also used versions of the field at different times, including other minor league teams and early professional clubs. After the Dodgers moved to Ebbets Field, Washington Park was eventually demolished. The location is now primarily occupied by industrial and commercial buildings.