HARRISBURG SENATORS
Metro Bank Park
Metro Bank Park sits on City Island — a 63-acre island in the middle of the Susquehanna River in downtown Harrisburg, connected to the city by the Market Street Bridge. It is the only Double-A stadium on an island. The Susquehanna surrounds the park on all sides; the Pennsylvania State Capitol dome is visible across the river to the west. The Senators are among the oldest franchises in Double-A baseball, dating their lineage to 1883.
PHOTO: Phillyfan0419 · CC BY-SA 3.0
Architecture & History
Metro Bank Park was opened in 1987 on City Island — a 63-acre natural island in the Susquehanna River in downtown Harrisburg, connected to the city by the Market Street Bridge. It is the only active Double-A stadium built on an island, and the geographic situation — surrounded by river on all sides with the Pennsylvania State Capitol dome visible to the west — creates a setting unlike any other in minor league baseball.
The Harrisburg Senators franchise traces its history to 1883, making it one of the oldest continuous professional baseball operations in the country. The Washington Nationals pipeline running through Harrisburg connects the nation's capital to Pennsylvania's capital city.
City Island was historically a recreational island for Harrisburg residents — before the stadium, it hosted a water park, a miniature golf course, and the Susquehanna River ferry landing. The park's construction in 1987 anchored a broader revitalisation of the island's recreational identity.
Build specs
- ARCHITECT
- Denlinger Architects
- CAPACITY
- 6,187
- OPENED
- 1987
- LOCATION
- City Island — 63-acre island in the Susquehanna River
- DISTINCTION
- Only Double-A stadium built on an island
Statues & Exterior
EXTERIOR FEATURES
City Island Setting
Entire park
The park sits on City Island in the middle of the Susquehanna River, accessible by the Market Street Bridge—a unique geographic setting.
Pride of the Susquehanna
Adjacent dock
A replica paddlewheel riverboat that offers scenic cruises on the Susquehanna, docked near the ballpark.
Names & History
1987–1995
Riverside Stadium
Original name on City Island.
1996–2007
Commerce Bank Park
First naming rights deal.
2008–present
Metro Bank Park
Current naming rights.
Also known as
The Food
Amish Soft Pretzel with Mustard
Lancaster County's Amish and Mennonite community produces the best soft pretzels in North America. Hand-twisted, baked in a hearth oven.
Amish Soft Pretzel with Mustard
Pretzel stand — main concourse
Lancaster County's Amish and Mennonite community produces the best soft pretzels in North America. Hand-twisted, baked in a hearth oven.
Whoopie Pie
Bakery stands
Two rounds of soft chocolate cake sandwiched with cream filling — invented in the Pennsylvania Dutch country of Lancaster County.
Lebanon Bologna Sandwich
Deli stand
A Pennsylvania Dutch specialty — sweet-smoked cured beef sausage from Lebanon County. Dark red, tangy, slightly sweet. On rye bread with mustard.
Arooga's Wings
Arooga's stand
Arooga's Grille House brings their wing program to Metro Bank Park. Buffalo-style, garlic parmesan, and Old Bay preparations.
Senators Dog
Hot dog stands
Standard hot dog with Pennsylvania Dutch mustard. Spicy brown mustard on a foot-long hot dog.
The Beer
Metro Bank Park has a central Pennsylvania craft presence anchored by Troegs Independent Brewing.
Tröegs Independent Brewing Perpetual IPA
Tröegs Independent Brewing · Hershey, PA
Tröegs, from Hershey (10 miles east), is one of the country's most decorated regional craft breweries. Perpetual IPA, Troegenator Doppelbock, and Mad Elf Holiday Ale are their most acclaimed offerings.
Appalachian Brewing Company Susquehanna Stout
Appalachian Brewing Co. · Harrisburg, PA
Appalachian Brewing, the Harrisburg craft institution since 1997, is on City Island's doorstep. Their Susquehanna Stout is named for the river surrounding the park.
Yards Brewing Philadelphia Pale Ale
Yards Brewing Co. · Philadelphia, PA
Yards Brewing, Philadelphia's most established craft brewery, has central Pennsylvania distribution. Their Philadelphia Pale Ale and Brawler Pugilist Style Mild Ale are the most available.
Yuengling Lager
D.G. Yuengling & Son · Pottsville, PA
Yuengling from Pottsville, 45 miles north — America's oldest brewery since 1829 — is the Pennsylvania volume option. Lager only.
Sun & Weather Guide
northeast — Harrisburg · Susquehanna River island · 320 ft elevation
Susquehanna River breezes — natural air conditioning
City Island is surrounded by the Susquehanna River. Evening games produce a reliable river breeze that makes Metro Bank Park one of the most comfortable summer evening parks in the Eastern League.
Central PA summer heat — river mitigates somewhat
Harrisburg summer afternoons are hot (90°F+) with humidity. The river mitigates somewhat. Evening games preferred June-August.
Susquehanna River spring — variable but beautiful
The Susquehanna in spring — sometimes running fast and high, sometimes smooth — is the visual context for April and May games. River temperatures moderate the air.
Upper deck — Pennsylvania State Capitol dome
The Pennsylvania State Capitol dome — the largest legislative building in the United States — is visible across the river to the west from the upper deck. Best from upper deck 3B side.
Insider Tips
The One Thing
Walk the City Island perimeter before the game. 1.5 miles, the Susquehanna River on both sides, the Capitol dome to the west, the Market Street Bridge connecting you to the city. Then order a Tröegs Perpetual IPA and an Amish pretzel.
Tröegs Brewing
Tröegs Independent Brewing from Hershey — 10 miles east — is one of the country's great regional craft breweries. Perpetual IPA is the year-round flagship. Their Troegenator Doppelbock and Mad Elf (in season) are among the best beers produced in Pennsylvania.
Lebanon Bologna
Order the Lebanon Bologna sandwich if available. Lebanon Bologna is a Pennsylvania Dutch specialty that exists almost nowhere outside a 40-mile radius of Lebanon, PA. It tastes like nothing else — sweet, smoky, tangy, and strange.
Parking Reality
Park in Harrisburg and walk the Market Street Bridge to City Island — the approach is part of the experience. The bridge walk takes 8 minutes and is the correct arrival sequence.
Best Value Seat
Third base lower grandstand — the Capitol dome view is to the northwest, river visible beyond the right field wall, and the Tröegs stand is nearby. Evening game, river breeze, Capitol dome.
Pilgrim Stops Near Harrisburg
Weird, wonderful, and worth the detour.
The Graffiti Warehouse
A massive legal graffiti mural wall in Baltimore's Station North arts district. Blocks of paint on brick that changes constantly. The city funded it. The art never stops.
Edgar Allan Poe's Grave
Poe died in Baltimore in 1849 under circumstances that remain genuinely mysterious. His grave in Westminster Hall churchyard was a pilgrimage site before pilgrimage sites were a thing. The catacombs beneath the church are open for tours.
Baltimore American Visionary Art Museum
Self-taught visionaries in a mosaic building with a 55-foot whirligig guardian.
Plan your pilgrimage
Every Park a Pilgrimage.
Plan a baseball road trip through Harrisburg and beyond.
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