Clark Field's fate sealed as city promises to make it a park

A historic field in the heart of St. Cloud that's been fenced off from the public for years will soon reopen as a city park.

Clark Field, which was home to Technical High School's football program for decades, was condemned about a decade ago because its restrooms and other buildings were deemed unfit for use.

The field's fate was further unclear when the St. Cloud school district vacated the now 104-year-old building in 2019 after building a new high school on the south side of town.

A group committed to keeping the field green — Friends of Clark Field — has been raising funds with plans to renovate the field and then purchase it from the school district, which would allow them to gift the land to the city.

But with the city renovating Technical High School this year so it can move its City Hall into the historical parts of the school, a new opportunity opened up.

At his annual State of the City address in early May, St. Cloud Mayor Dave Kleis promised the city will take over ownership of the field — likely this year — and it will become a park.

"There's a lot of heritage and history we want to preserve," Kleis said Tuesday. "We have a beautiful centerpiece park in Lake George and Eastman Park. [Clark Field] complements that with additional green space and fields."

Ruth Kaczor, who leads the Friends of Clark Field efforts, said the group wasn't able to raise the estimated $2 million to renovate and purchase the field.

"This is a win for us — to have the property go to the city, where it can be green and part of our park system," Kaczor said. "We're committed to keeping Clark Field green. That's been our goal all along. We're looking to see it be a recreational facility in the park system, something that families and kids can use for many years to come."

Clark Field, built in 1942, was named after Technical High School's first principal, Elizabeth Clark. The field was home to the Tigers football program for decades, with Kaczor's late husband, Ron, coaching varsity football at the site for two decades before he died from cancer in 2006.

Kaczor, of St. Cloud, organized Friends of Clark Field after the school district announced plans to build an early childhood facility on the site in 2015.

"Our concern was keeping it green," she said. "We didn't want it to become a concrete structure in the middle of this beautiful park."

The district ultimately decided in 2016 not to build on Clark Field and instead built a new facility in Waite Park.

The field is still owned by the school district, which has repaired damage to the press box and hired a mason to repair damage sustained after a car hit the south wall of the complex, according to Gary Ganje, executive director of operations at the school district. The city is studying another concern — the sinking west bleachers — but has determined the bleachers are solid concrete blocks and not suspended, so there is no concern about the structure collapsing, according to community development director Matt Glaesman.

Glaesman said the field fits the city's need for youth recreation space with soccer or lacrosse fields.

Once the property is transferred, the city will be responsible for basic maintenance and upkeep. Kleis said the city is open to working with Friends of Clark Field if the group wants to raise money for additional improvements such as installing turf.

"There's a lot to be determined," Kaczor said. "We certainly are anxious to work with the city and make this a great, vital part of our community."

Jenny Berg • 612-673-7299

Twitter: @bergjenny