History

Built in 1982, Warner Park, affectionately known as the “Duck Pond,” just celebrated its eleventh season in 2011 as home to the Madison Mallards of the Northwoods League. The city-owned park has housed some of the largest crowds in summer collegiate baseball history, including a 10,061 affair during a game against the Rochester Honkers on June 12, 2004.

In 2011, the “Duck Pond” welcomed  a collegiate league record 213,467 smiling Mallards fans, including the sixth-annual MLB Alumni Game featuring Hall of Famer Paul Molitor – the sixth consecutive year the team has surpassed the 200,000 mark in season-attendance, and 6,000 mark for per-game average attendance.

As a whole, the summer collegiate Northwoods League led the entire nation in total attendance after welcoming 893,441 baseball fans to 16 ballparks scattered across Minnesota, Wisconsin, Iowa, Michigan, and even Canada. 

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Upon entering the “Duck Pond”, fans first notice the Pepsi Max Vision Video Board located in left-center field, showing live, full-color video of game highlights and always-zany on-field promotions. There’s no excuse for missing game action as 14 flat screen televisions around the park also offer live game action along with instant replays.

No matter what you have the taste for, there’s a good chance the vast menu at the “Duck Pond” will satisfy your cravings. “Stoddard’s Smokehouse,” located in the concourse area, offers smoked brisket and pork sandwiches along with a delicious Philly cheesesteak sandwich. Back for a fourth year is “Maynard’s Slide In,” a 100% locally sourced burger joint serving hand-dipped cheese curds, onion rings, and made-to-order malts.

Minutes prior to the game’s first pitch, fans should be seated to catch a glimpse of the team’s mascot Maynard G. Mallard “flying” into the stadium via the 325-foot zip-line from the right-field corner to home plate.

Looking for that perfect souvenir? Be sure to stop at the “Sports Impressions Team Green Store ” located in the courtyard behind homeplate offering a full line of merchandise and trinkets, including hats, t-shirts, game-used jerseys, bobbleheads, travel mugs, and ever-popular duck calls.

In 2012, the Mallards added the Meriter & Physicians Plus Backyard in left field.  The Backyard is a 5,000 square foot grass berm that can hold up to 600 fans.  The Mallards also built a brand new Great Dane Duck Blind Club in right field, as an extension on the existing Great Dane Duck Blind.  The Club has 4, 6, and 8 top picnic tables and is on top of a 13 foot high deck.

Thanks for visiting the “Duck Pond!”

Stadium Facts (please view photos below)

Stadium Name: Warner Park. Year Built: 1982. 1st NWL Game Played at Stadium: June 2, 2001. Seating Capacity: 6,750. Largest Crowd: 10,061 (June 12, 2004) Total Franchise Attendance: 2,036,332 (12 years) Ballpark dimensions: 308 1/3 L, 365 LC, 380 C, 365 RC, 295 2/3 R. Ticket info: Visit mallardsbaseball.com for more information Parking info: Free parking at Stadium lot.

Directions: 2920 N. Sherman Ave., Madison. Warner Park is on the northeastern side of Madison. From wherever you are, you’ll want to make your way to the Hwy 30 / Aberg Ave. exit and head northwest. After you pass the Shopko (on right), you’ll turn right onto Packers Avenue, eventually veering left off Packers Avenue onto Northport Drive. Warner Park is on the southwest corner (on your left) of Northport Drive and Sherman Avenue. There are two entrances to Warner: either turn left to reach the Sherman Avenue entrance (on the right-hand side of Sherman) or continue past the intersection and turn left into the Northport Drive entrance.

Photos taken by team photographer Jim Addis on June 7th, 2011. 

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