MINNEAPOLIS-ST. PAUL, MN – The Toro Company, the Minnesota Twins organization and the City of St. Louis Park will join forces to renovate and rebuild youth baseball and softball fields in St. Louis Park. On Wednesday, October 4, approximately 80 volunteers from partnering organizations and the community will collaborate to reconstruct Derrick Keller Baseball Field and two softball fields at Dakota Park in St. Louis Park.

“Dakota Park is one of the real jewels of our recreation system and the financial assistance, volunteer resources and professional groundskeeping expertise provided by the Twins Community Fund and The Toro Foundation allows for extensive renovation of these fields,” said St. Louis Park Mayor Jake Spano.

“The improvements are very much appreciated and will be enjoyed by adult and youth softball and baseball teams who use the fields extensively from April through September. We want to thank Toro and wish the Twins the best of luck in the season’s homestretch!”

The fields are located next to Peter Hobart Elementary school at 2601 Dakota Ave S in St. Louis Park, north of Minnetonka Blvd and east of Louisiana Ave S. Toro and the Twins are committed to providing this community with new, high-quality ball fields under professional guidance of the Twins Grounds Crew and Toro Sports Turf Managers.

Renovation activities for the baseball field will include repairing drainage issues in the outfield; rebuilding the pitcher’s mound and home plate area; repairing the bullpens; removing, adding and repairing sod and leveling the field; and painting the dugouts. Improvements to the softball fields include leveling the infield and removing and repairing sod.

“The Twins are excited to partner with Toro and the City of St. Louis Park to improve these ball fields for youth in Twins Territory,” said Bryan Donaldson, Executive Director of the Twins Community Fund. “We’re committed to providing safe places for kids to play baseball and softball, where they can learn the great lessons that this game can teach.”

Bloomington-based Toro and the Twins Community Fund together donated $20,000 to the City of St. Louis Park for the renovation project. “Toro is proud to partner with the Twins on improving baseball and softball fields in St. Louis Park. It is a unique opportunity for Toro to combine our people and products to provide high-quality playing fields for people of all ages,” said Judson McNeil, President of The Toro Foundation.