COLUMBUS CLIPPERS
Huntington Park
The jewel of Columbus's downtown Short North and Arena District — a compact, thoughtfully designed ballpark that opened in 2009 and immediately earned comparisons to Victory Field as the best new AAA park of its generation. Huntington Park has a view of the Columbus skyline from the upper deck, a left field party deck that is the most social space in the IL Central, and a food program that reflects Columbus's underrated dining scene.
PHOTO: DrBob317 · CC BY-SA 2.0
Architecture & History
Huntington Park was designed by NBBJ and opened April 18, 2009. The park cost $75 million and was built in Columbus's Arena District.
The park's design emphasises intimacy — 10,100 seats in a compact bowl with no seat more than 90 feet from the playing field.
Columbus is one of the most underrated food cities in the Midwest. Schmidt's Sausage Haus (1886), Jeni's Splendid Ice Creams, and North Market all have Huntington Park connections.
Build specs
- ARCHITECT
- NBBJ
- CAPACITY
- 10,100
- COST
- $75 million
- OPENED
- April 18, 2009
- DISTRICT
- Arena District — Nationwide Arena adjacent
- NO FAR SEAT
- Max 90 ft from playing field
Statues & Exterior
EXTERIOR FEATURES
Arena District Hub
Huntington Park anchors Columbus's Arena District alongside Nationwide Arena, creating one of the best urban sports and entertainment districts in the Midwest.
Arch City Design
The ballpark's architecture incorporates Columbus's "Arch City" heritage with arched entryways and brick facades.
Names & History
2009–present
Huntington Park
Named for Huntington Bancshares, headquartered in Columbus.
The Food
Schmidt's Bahama Mama
Schmidt's Sausage Haus smoked red sausage with paprika-forward seasoning, charcoal-grilled.
Schmidt's Sausage Haus Bahama Mama
Schmidt's stand — main concourse
Schmidt's Sausage Haus, the German Village Columbus institution since 1886, operates at Huntington Park. Their Bahama Mama — a smoked red sausage with mild, paprika-forward seasoning.
Schmidt's Cream Puff
Schmidt's stand
Schmidt's enormous cream puffs — the size of a softball, filled with fresh whipped cream.
Jeni's Splendid Ice Creams
Jeni's stand — main concourse
Jeni's Splendid Ice Creams, the Columbus artisan ice cream company, operates at Huntington Park.
Ohio State-Themed Nachos
Various stands
Loaded nachos with scarlet and gray theming are a game-day staple.
North Market Vendor Rotation
Main concourse — rotating
Columbus's North Market public market has rotating vendor representation at Huntington Park.
The Beer
Land-Grant Brewing Beard of Zeus IPA
Land-Grant Brewing · Columbus, OH
Land-Grant, the Short North Columbus craft brewery. Beard of Zeus IPA is their flagship.
Actual Brewing Actual IPA
Actual Brewing Co. · Columbus, OH
Actual Brewing, based in Columbus. IPA and Ginger Lemongrass wheat are consistently available.
Platform Beer Company
Platform Beer Co. · Cleveland, OH
Platform, the Cleveland craft brewery, appears at specialty stands.
Bud Light
Anheuser-Busch
Volume beer throughout.
Sun & Weather Guide
Ohio summer heat — plan for shade
Columbus summer day games are genuinely hot. The Arena District provides some shade from surrounding buildings.
Columbus summer evenings — excellent
Huntington Park evening games are excellent in summer. The Arena District bar scene provides the best AAA pre/post game experience in Ohio.
Party area — social AAA experience
The left field party deck is the most social space in the park — standing-room style, open bar access, best atmosphere.
Upper deck — Columbus skyline visible
The Columbus skyline is visible from the upper deck.
April-May in Columbus — bring layers
Columbus spring is variable. April games can be cold; May is usually comfortable.
Best sight lines + afternoon shade
First base lower box seats develop afternoon shade from the grandstand structure and have the best overall sight lines.
Insider Tips
The One Thing
Schmidt's Sausage Haus Bahama Mama from the Schmidt's stand, followed by a Schmidt's cream puff. Schmidt's has been in German Village Columbus since 1886.
Jeni's Ice Cream
Get a Jeni's Splendid Ice Creams scoop. Salty Caramel and Brambleberry Crisp are the classics.
Arrive Early
The Arena District bar and restaurant scene is worth arriving 90 minutes early for.
Best Value Seat
The left field party deck is the best value standing-room experience in the IL Central.
Pilgrim Stops Near Columbus
Weird, wonderful, and worth the detour.
Field of Corn (Cornhenge)
109 concrete ears of corn arranged in rows like Arlington National Cemetery outside Columbus. Each one weighs 1,500 lbs and stands 6 feet tall. There is no satisfying explanation.
Zanesville Y-Bridge Ohio
The only Y-shaped bridge in the world. Cross it from any side, end up where you started.
Hartman Rock Garden Springfield
50 hand-built miniature American monuments in a Springfield machinist's backyard.
Plan your pilgrimage
Every Park a Pilgrimage.
Plan a baseball road trip through Columbus and beyond.
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