PK Park - Eugene Emeralds
Updated: 2 hours ago
Photos by Andrew Kulyk and Sean Rowland, Stadium Journey
Stadium Info FANFARE Score: 3.14
PK Park 2760 Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd Eugene, OR 97401
Year Opened: 2009 Capacity: 4,000
When a Duck is Your Landlord
Not actually a standalone Minor League Baseball ballpark, PK Park is located on the campus of Oregon
University. This is the baseball home for Oregon Ducks college baseball, and is directly adjacent to their
massive football venue, Autzen Stadium. Opened in 2009, the Eugene Emeralds quickly moved from the old
Civic Stadium, where they had played for 41 seasons. But make no mistake, this ballpark is first and foremost
a home for college baseball. The green and gold colors, the branding on the facade, entryway, and even on the
field is that of the Ducks. Even the name, “PK Park”, is not some sort of corporate sponsor, but rather the initials
of former Ducks athletic director Pat Kilkenny, who spurred a fundraising drive to have this stadium built.
This and several other reasons have the Emeralds facing some tough decisions on where to call home moving forward.
Food & Beverage 3
The concessions here aren’t bad. The fixed stands and several vending carts line the single concourse, which all have a view of the playing surface. There’s the Mercian stand, offering beef or chicken tacos for $4.75, along with various quesadillas for $10-$15., Brisket Mac and cheese, beef sliders, Philly cheesesteak or a foot-long hot dog go for $17. Assorted burgers and even a veggie burger run from $13-$19. Bottled Pepsi products for $6.25, Gatorade for $6.75 and water for $5. Various brands of canned beer run from $11 to $17. One interesting
menu item is a Chicago deep dish pizza, costing $15 for a quarter pie.
Atmosphere 4
Despite the omnipresent Ducks branding, the Emeralds make a good attempt to tie in their own branding to a game night experience here. Sluggo the mascot is a hilarious entertainment distraction. The building itself pays tribute to the green technology and respect for the environment in design and appearance. The team enjoys robust fan support and acceptance, irrespective of the major tenant which occupies this ballpark.
Neighborhood 2
There is not much of a neighborhood at all, unless you have a thing for vast oceans of parking. Downtown Eugene is a few miles away, and the immediate area around the ballpark is tailor-made for college football and the accompanying tailgate scene. The region offers endless opportunities for hiking, bike paths, communing with nature. As for this ballpark, it’s pay to park and attend a game and nothing much more to come with the experience.
Fans 4
Not a fair comparison but on the night this evaluation and visit was made, it was game 3 of the Northwest League championship playoffs and not an empty seat to be had. The fans were loud, intimidating, and into every aspect of the game. Overall, the team is in the middle of the pack in league attendance, averaging 1,900 fans a game in this ballpark that seats just over 4,000.
Access 3
Arriving by car is pretty much the only way to attend a Eugene Emeralds game. Surface parking is in abundance, but prepare to pay $6 to park, and there are several office parks in the immediate neighborhood where one can park for free and walk a few steps. Just be forewarned that some of these lots have strict no parking warnings for games and towing enforcement. Short version of advice… just pay for the parking and be done with it.
Return on Investment 4
Along with the $6 parking, be prepared to pay $15 to $25 for a reserved grandstand ticket. The team does run specific ticket discount ticket promotions throughout the season, so it's always good to check their website.
Concession prices are surprisingly reasonable for this day and age.
Extras 2
The Sasquatch branding and logo is the team’s attempt to make this ballpark experience their own. It is an uphill battle given the venue’s focus on the Oregon Ducks. Their high energy mascot is named Sluggo, and plays heavily on the region’s Sasquatch folklore.
Final thoughts
Despite on-filed success and good attendance, the Eugene Emeralds days may be numbered in this stadium. First, the facility falls short of Minor League Baseball standards for team and practice facilities. A bond measure to build a new stadium closer to downtown was defeated by the voters, and the new plan is to relocate the franchise to nearby Medford, where feasibility studies are underway for a new $90million multi use stadium in their downtown core.
For now, the Emeralds are committed to play in PK Park though the 2027 season. Beyond that? Stay tuned.
