RiverHawks Stadium

Main entrance to RiverHawks Stadium, Aug-2006.

A look at the seating areas from a pavilion beyond right field.

The park is at the edge of an industrial area, but improvements are anticipated.

• Location: Interstate Boulevard, off Riverside Boulevard east of I-39/90, Loves Park, Ill.
• Opened: 2006 as RiverHawks Stadium
• Additional names: Road Ranger Stadium (2010)
• Home team: Rockford RiverHawks, Frontier League (2006-09, 2011-present), Northern League (2010)
• Capacity: 4,000 (approx.)

Chronological Tour: Stop 312

Rating: 3 baseballs

In 2004, one of the team owners, a local real estate developer, said he would go ahead and build his own park in the nearby suburb of Loves Park. It took longer than expected, but RiverHawks Stadium opened for the 2006 season.

As of 2006, the park looked nice enough, but it seemed rather Spartan in nature. There was no roof to provide shade on hot sunny days or shelter on rainy evenings. The owner said that the market did not support a row of luxury suites, but some covered picnic areas have been added and more shade is possible.

In addition, plans are in the works for both a hotel and apartments at the facility, touches that would be reminiscent of Wrigley Field in Chicago and SkyDome in Toronto.