Comments

I like the above suggestions. It probably goes without saying that we need an open concourse, I think that is standard now for new ballparks/arenas.

One thing I don't like about Comerica is that it is too busy, it even includes a small amusement park. So my suggestion is to realize that less is sometimes more. Besides their quirky designs, the reason why Fenway and Wrigley work is that they are in neighborhoods. So let area around the ballpark grow up with commercial and residential development. The statute idea is great, but leave it at that.

Here are some stream of conscienceness ideas:

Let the site dictate the design, not the other way around. No forced quirky elements like the hill at minutemaid park. Brick evokes old time memories, stay away from pre-fab concrete panels. Ample use of landscaping in and around the ballpark is a must. Greenery inside the ballpark softens the look, and makes it seem more like a "park." A forced or fake retro look ages poorly. Pick timeless fonts and designs and let them age gracefully. Allow for public areas outside the park for people to gather, again with ample landscaping, not a cement-filled hardscape. Areas outside of the park where perhaps you can get a glimpse of what is happening inside or where kids can gather to collect the odd homerun (e.g. the streets around wrigley or the bay outside of pac bell)is a must. A wall of fame inside the concourses will bring fans. Think of the all-america wall at Mauriucci.

I'll probably think of more but that's good for now.

Posted on July 6, 2006 at 11:07 AM by Dean E. Carlson

1. Navy blue seats and outfield fence.
2. No giant milk cartons.
3. Manual scoreboards in outfield, digital elsewhere (should be able to see score/pitch speed/batter/pitcher names from every area.)
4. Good selection and quality of consession food (preferably from local companies...food that represents Minnesota except for that bland Swedish stuff.)
5. Jacobs & Coors Fields have pine trees in the outfield, I like this. Could we use little ponds in the outfield to represent the many lakes?
6. Nice selection of beers, epecially micro brews and local brews like Summit. Hopefully by 2010 they won't be more than $10 each.
7. Easy walking access to Warehouse District.
8. Statues of the great ones.
9. Tribute to youth, high school, & college Minnesota baseball. (The Wild did this by hanging up jerseys of high school hockey teams outside the upper concourse.)
10. Bring the metrodome organ & include contemporary music as well.
11. Twins logo above scoreboard.
12. Bring back the 'baby blue' color for trim of alternate jerseys.
13. Limestone would be cool. The guy who invented 'Keystone' was from Richfield. (Similar to PNC's but not the very light sandy color.)
14. Incorporate a smaller Minnehaha Falls somewhere, maybe in the outfield by some pine trees.
15. Cobblestone paths leading to the stadium. (concrete paths for handicap) There's an old part of Minneapolis that still has cobblestone. I can't remember what that district is called, but I want to say it's where Pillsbury use to be.
16. Bars in club/field levels.
17. As many standing room only spaces as possible.
18. The occasional Weekend Ladies Night...girls get in at a discount. (Ever been to Wrigley? Chicks go there to party.)
19. Maybe a smaller version of the 'Spoon and Cherry Sculpture' from the Minneapolis Sculpture Garden behind the outfield fence by some pine trees (center field.)
20. Can we thorw Paul Bunyons' axe somewhere that's tasteful and appropriate.
21. You know, I kinda like the Northwoods theme. I haven't seen a stadium that has a hint of log cabin to it.
22. American League flags blowing in wind.
23. Note to HOK: DO NOT write First Base or Third Base on the outer architecture. We'll figure out which side to go.
24. Large Homer Hankey flags in the outfield for the '87 & '91 teams.
25. Petco in San Diego has a 'team store' behind left field fence, people in the store can walk to field level, right behind the warning track. That was kinda cool, especially before the game.

Posted on July 7, 2006 at 03:03 AM by CG

I like the tribute to Minnehaha Falls. That combined with the creek under the seats would be pretty cool. I hope they don't use too much glass on the exterior like the one HOK is building in Washington.

Posted on July 9, 2006 at 03:00 AM by tito

Old school manual scoreboard in the outfield with scores around the league showing at all times. No advertisements please.

Posted on July 9, 2006 at 3:27 PM by Paul

Pittsburgh and San Fransisco have the steel exposed in some areas. I think the Twins should do this and paint it red.

The original Met flag would be a nice touch, as would the cobblestone paths. A warehouse place in left field with views of downtown would be neat, similar to Camden and Petco.

Posted on July 9, 2006 at 6:59 PM by Michael

No one specific idea from me, just a general one. The stadium needs to have something to make it unique and set it apart from the others of the last 14 years. I've been to a bunch of the newer stadiums and some almost seem to have become "cookie-cutter-retro-parks" if you will. Philadelphia and St. Louis are very, very nice new parks. But there's nothing to make them standout like some of the others, such as the Tigers outside of Comerica.

Posted on July 17, 2006 at 11:48 AM by Matt

Posted on July 27, 2006 at 03:25 AM by

Avoid the artificial "retro" look; break the mold and build a contemporary park. Better to be the Camden Yards of the post-retro-park era than being the last one to the party like New Comiskey was (although I'd suggest we've already seen a couple of these).

Posted on August 7, 2006 at 3:08 PM by

I agree! No tacky milk cartons! Please!!!! I don't like the idea of two large statues either or the baby blue jerseys. No Paul Bunyon axe either leave that to the U of M Gophers. I love the Minnehaha falls idea though. Get some ideas from Safeco park and Camden yards. American flags are a great idea the more the better! How about an area honoring the 4 branches of the Armed Forces. Ok! the Coast Guard also. I believe that this would honor all that have given their lives and those that served in the Armed Forces faithfully for our freedoms in this Great Nation.

Posted on August 16, 2006 at 3:09 PM by carlos pesante

There are a few things I would like to see incorporated in the new park. The first is a good selection of local foods. I would love to see a walleye sandwitch and things of that nature available. I also think it would be a good idea to somehow incorporate the Minneapolis Skyway into the park. Like there could be a skyway that connects the right and left field seats or have an enterance in the skyway system. These are just a few of the ideas I have for the new park

Posted on October 24, 2006 at 1:15 PM by Randy

I like the statue idea, but would rather see the Minneapolis & St Paul handshake guys from the Twins logo. Maybee as some sort of an arch or an entrance. I love the red steel idea, as well as navy blue seats. The large outfield scoreboard shoul be labled "Twins-O-Gram" like at the old Met. I like the idea of the lake or the falls out in center field. We should have White pines. (state tree) Do you think the DNR would stock the pond with Walleye?! Also tear the Killer's red chair from the met, off the wall at the MOA and bring it to the new ballpark somewhere. I like the thought of the old flagpole as well. Not so sure about the log cabin look. We need to stay away from taking a theme to the extreme, anyone seen the Red's Great American Ballpark? Did a riverboat throw up on that park? I pray to god, at some point the Twins go back to the old script chest logo used untill early 80's. Honestly the current block letters make me sick. I think we should paint simply the TC logo on the grass behind home plate. The Yankiees NY looks classy, so would the TC. A pro shop on site would be profitable for the Twins. Any other impulse spenders out there? I liked number 9 from the list above. (Tribute to youth, high school, & college baseball in Minnesota.) Go Twinkies.

Posted on November 4, 2006 at 12:33 AM by dain Erickson

YES! Lots of good ideas! I like statues of "the great ones" also. Maybe put into a 'lakes' theme, where they appear to be standing (walking) on water. Too much? I don't think so.

Posted on December 11, 2006 at 07:30 AM by Farm Guy

I know some of my suggestions may be repeats but another vote for an idea doesn’t hurt….

On CG's Comment: "6. Nice selection of beers, especially micro brews and local brews like Summit" (also PREMIUM!!! IS A MUST)

1. Tailgating lot... have you been to miller stadium?? I don't care if the s.o.b is on top of a parking ramp as long as it is designated for tailgating!!! Enough said....

2. Obviously a manual scoreboard is a must and I think I am the 100th person who has mentioned it...

3. I think the trees in the outfield would look good around a Minnesota shaped pond but keep the log cabin and the axe at home... I don't want people from other states to think we play banjos and chop wood all day.

4. I also like the idea of having the entrance to the stadium be an arch of the old twins logo... a little throwback to the roots of the organization.

5. Ask yourself what makes the twins a class act organization??? Building a quality team with their own farm teams and not buying players!... how about having an attraction(info room or booth) giving details on the progress of these clubs. So that fans can look at and get to know someone of the players that will be making up parts of the future team.

6. Seats that fit oversized adults! I can’t handle sitting in the metrodome in a seat that can’t fit my 6-3 270 frame.

7. I also like the idea that they have a small ballpark outside the stadium to emphasize the contributions made by the twins organization to youth baseball in Minnesota…. (size of a little league field with covered seating…. Yes I know miller stadium has one but I like the idea enough to bring it here!)

8. Concourse should feature the all levels of Minnesota baseball… I get goosebumps when I walk into the excel!! Class act outfit they have there!!!

9. I am going to say it… and be the one who is hated… bring the baggy! Or a smaller version of it……. Ok I thought a little harder about that and never mind the baggy robbed me of a round-tripper in high school. Baggy you suck! Hahaha

10. Puck golden seat… have it seated the same distance from homeplate as where it was now… classic moment in twins history..

11. can we sit in the front row in lowerdeck outfield please…. I know it was a short wall and they had to look after the safety of the players but please give the fan a “I am in the game!!!” type feel… also on that note move the fans as close to the field as possible I want to be able to hear Justin Morneau tell Jerry White that he just missed that pitch and it should have been a homerun.

12. A sound system that creates artificial noise or noise amplification so that we can bring the metrodome homefield advantage to the newballpark….

13. I am assume that the walkway around the stadium will be similar to the one at the metrodown… if so then periodically around the stadium there should be statues of those twins greats… puckett, herbek, the killer, w. Johnsoncarew, Zoilo Versalles , Tony Oliva , ,(soon to be… mauer, morneau, Santana, Nathan)… and of course the grumpy looking guy named Tom Kelly

14. Fan Bricks… sell fan bricks to fan who want to have they name apart of the building of the stadium, because a lot of loyal fans have waited a long time to get this new stadium.

15. Last…… make it worth coming back to for all… I cherish the times when I get to go to the new stadium Milwaukee once a year when the twins go there to kick butt… give that experience to all non-native Minnesotans….

Posted on January 2, 2007 at 1:50 PM by Jeremy

First of all lets stop all this "letws make it screem minnesotan" no paul bunyan axe, no spam logos and no 10000 lakes in the outfeild... next thing you know all these homers will want Fargo playing on the jumbotron.... what we need is tailgating area.. like miller park.. i have hung out in that parking lot the whole game b4 ,,,i am really concerned there will be no area for this and that is sad... also we need a chain resturant like miller park has tgi fridays in left feild.. i suggest a famous daves or somthing like that....

Posted on January 7, 2007 at 1:17 PM by rick

20. Can we thorw Paul Bunyons' axe somewhere that's tasteful and appropriate.

21. You know, I kinda like the Northwoods theme. I haven't seen a stadium that has a hint of log cabin to it.

Just random thoughts, I really don't see the Twins putting an axe anywhere. I just think there's room for subtle Minnesota twists for the new park. Keep up the good work Rick.

Posted on January 9, 2007 at 8:03 PM by CG

Just repeats that make sense like the Twin statues of the old logo at the entrance, something with our lakes, pine trees, navy blue seats and the TC logo painted behind homeplate.

Posted on February 18, 2007 at 01:32 AM by Kevin

1. Tailgating lot is a MUST!! I love it when on my days off I can just go down to the lots by the metrodome during a beatuiful sunny Minnesota Summer day and have a few (or more) cold ones before going to the game. By far one of the best parts of Summer.

2. How about a giant broze statue of a mesquito? I mean they are as much a part of Minnesota as the lakes. It could also be very intimidating for opposing teams arriving at the stadium only to be greeted by a giant mean looking carnivorous insect. (not serious about this)

3. OUTFIELD SEATS!! In all the drawings I've seen for the new stadium there are very limited outfield seats. When I was a kid my dad caught a Kirby Pucket (R.I.P.) homerun in the outfield and I still have that ball. Everytime I look at it it reminds me of great childhood memories watching baseball. This will get lost on future generations if all we are catching are insignicant foul balls.

4. Please keep Wednesday Dollar Dogs and student cheap seats. I am also a student at the U of M and every Wednesday there was a home game without fail I would take $5 (cheap seats are only $3 on Wednesdays for students) and go watch the Twins game. Being a student I did not have much money (hell $5 is a lot of money to me) but this allowed me to enjoy the Twins on the cheap.

Posted on March 16, 2007 at 2:31 PM by Robert

Might sound crazy but I say Sofa seats! esp for familys.. Price for those seats will have to be higher. and keep them boxed up when not in use..

Posted on March 19, 2007 at 2:33 PM by MNHIP

make it eco friendly too! Put solar power into use in it but stylish also, Use oled displays more vibrant than the jumbotrons/lcd's but use less energy.

Posted on March 19, 2007 at 2:37 PM by MNHIP

In each of resides the spirit of a little leaguer; and that spirit never dies. We rely upon the past to evoke euphoric recall in the present. History, baseball history, has set the stage for the awe and inspiration we feel each time we hear the click of the turnstile. Our ticket offers more than admission to a game; it is a license to live free, to bask in the sun and savor the chance that we might bear witness to greatness.

We savor that moment not only in the present, but also in the past. Baseball in Minnesota has a rich and storied tradition, one that bridges generations and lifts spirits. Paying homage to the history of the Minnesota Twins in the form of a formal museum or hall of fame ensures that future generations of fans can relive the excitement that we and our fellows shared throughout the years.

One need look no further than Oriole Park at Camden Yard where Sports Legends, opened in 2005, features exhibits on the Baltimore Orioles, Colts, Ravens, and Blast; Orioles Hall of Fame; Negro League teams; the Preakness; the Maryland State Athletic Hall of Fame; regional college athletics; Locker Room--Kids' Discovery Zone, and much more.

With the construction of the new ballpark, we have a wonderful opportunity to enrich our future by celebrating the past.

Posted on July 26, 2007 at 3:27 PM by Damian A. Schaab

Nothing screams MINNESOTA! like success, on and off the field. Professional baseball clubs have provide Miniiesotans validation of their identity time and time again. History points to numers moments in our storied past when our lifes were enriched either directly or inderitcly by baseball.

The baseball orgainations should have their stories told--the men behind the movement and the scope and magnitude of all those people were were toucged by the baseball organization.

And the popope, the very core of what it is to be a fan, to be part of a greater baseball experience, to be part of a baseball family. Who were these families and how were their lifes changed by theit involvlent (in all ways possible) with baseball in Minnesota?

Posted on July 31, 2007 at 02:13 AM by Damian A. Schaab

i agree from the post on july 31 by damian a. schaab. that is completly true!

Posted on August 6, 2007 at 8:45 PM by olivia

I agree that 'less is more'. Just watched Red Sox play at Anaheim. Cheesy looking fake mountains in outfield are AWFUL. Visited Fenway for Twins final 2 this season. Nothing ridiculous there, just ballpark.

Posted on October 8, 2007 at 08:53 AM by Farm Guy

I was wondering if anyone has heard anything on the Twins museum front. I spoke with Stew Thornley, President of the Halsey Hall Chapter of S.A.B.R. and he felt the idea had a great deal of merit. Just saying...

Posted on February 29, 2008 at 3:34 PM by Damian

The new Twins stadium should have accessible wheelchair seating on every level oF the stadium and every angle of the playing field. They should have wheelchair seating in the infield, outfield, AND in EVERY section of the New Twins Stadium.

Posted on April 17, 2008 at 6:13 PM by Michael

Good point Michael.

Posted on May 14, 2008 at 11:12 PM by Lafferty

I was very pleased to have read that there will be MORE wheelchair seating than the dome.

I live in Duluth and when I travel to see my Twins, I need to use wheelchair seating or have the option of using a no stair seat. Getting accessible seating to even a regular season game has been very difficult at the Dome. But what is even more frustrating is when using wheelchair seating in the upper section, my friend or date would have to sit behind me in the bottom row. No one should have to put up with sitting detached from your companions.

I have been to Coor’s Field in Denver and they really get it. The single chairs in the accessible section can be used or swung out of the way for a wheelchair.

I also found in my search that a committee has been formed to address accessibility needs. Glad to find out such things are being address early such as seating, parking, transportation, entrances, concessions, bathrooms, signage, phones & cash machines just to mention a few. All these issues can all be a real hassle if your mobility or sensory impaired and living a independent life.

I was on the city council in Duluth for eight years and I think we are years behind Mpls/StP in understanding the concept of “universal design.” But I have had good accessibility experiences in recent years in the metro and I am feel good about the new park.

If any of the design staff reads this and replies to my concerns, it would solidify an already faithful fan.

Anyone have a stadium area condo for sale?

Posted on May 16, 2008 at 9:46 PM by Russ

As a tribute to Field of Dreams/the Farming industry of MN/and an awesome special touch that sets this stadium apart from the cookie-cutter retro stadiums: grow corn beyond the outfield fence. It can just be behind one section, but growing some sweet corn, harvesting it, selling roasted corn on the cob during the summer time would just be an excellent touch.

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