Nationals Park

Washington, DC

Team: Washington Nationals	Opening Day: March 30, 2008
Capacity: 41,888	Dimensions: LF 336 CF 402 RF 335
Architect: HOK Sport (Kansas City), Devrouax & Purnell (Washington)	Construction: Clark Construction Group, LLC (Bethesda)
Owner: DC Sports Commission	Cost: $610.8 million
Ground Breaking: May 4, 2006	Surface: Kentucky bluegrass blend (Princeton 105, Brilliant, Midnight Star)

Memorable Moments:

June 4, 2009, Randy Johnson (of the Giants) gets career win 300.

Financing: The ballpark was purchased from the sale of bonds. Here is the breakdown:

$11 - $14 million per year for an in-stadium tax on concessions, tickets, and merchandise.
$21 - $24 million per year on a tax on businesses with gross receipts of $3 million or more.
$5.5 million per year, for thirty years, for rent.
The team is responsible for cost overruns.
The naming rights belong to the team.

This ballpark is the cornerstone to the newly developed Anacosta River waterfront entertainment district. The design features a lot of glass, and resembles the convention center. This park is the first LEED Green Certified sports complex in the United States. The US Capitol Building and Washington Monument are visitable from the park. The odd right field jog is inspired by Griffith Stadium, former home of the Washington Senators.

Overall, like everything in life, there was some good and bad about this park. I felt it was a very boring park. Nothing really exciting or new, but it just was. I do like how the design is inspired by I.M. Pei's East Wing of the National Gallery of Art. In fact, I felt that architecturally, it fit in nicely with the rest of the city. I did like the "Red Porch" restaurant and bar in center field (pictured below). It was a probably the best standing room section I have ever seen. Very roomy and great views. This park was a good park to watch a game at, but it didn't blow my socks off.