The historic baseball park where Jackie Robinson took his first swings is set to undergo a stunning $30 million renovation, bringing it into the modern age while preserving its cherished legacy.
Although Jackie Robinson is best known for his incredible career with the Dodgers, his journey began at City Island Ballpark in Daytona Beach, Florida. This beautiful 100-acre park, nestled along the Halifax River and just a few miles from downtown Daytona Beach, became a significant site in 1946 when the Brooklyn Dodgers played a spring training game against their minor-league affiliates, the Montreal Royals. It was here that Robinson found a rare opportunity to play in a time when baseball was largely segregated.
Unlike many teams in Florida that enforced segregation, the Royals, along with the supportive local community, welcomed Robinson to the field. “Jackie Robinson was told no, he could not play in many places, but the city of Daytona Beach, with the help of local leaders, said yes,” shared Dru Driscoll, deputy city manager for Daytona Beach. “It’s our responsibility to rehabilitate the ball field, as it’s the only place he first played professional baseball.”
In 2020, Major League Baseball implemented new facility requirements, prompting around 160 teams and ballparks to modernize their facilities. This groundbreaking change aimed to ensure that visiting teams had access to adequate clubhouses, pitching and batting tunnels, as well as modern, climate-controlled fitness areas, including facilities for female players and staff.
This shift has led to 2024 and 2025 being historic years for investments in minor league ballparks, with renovations across the nation expected to total approximately $2.3 billion, as reported by the Sport Business Journal.
As the main representative for the renovation project, Driscoll encountered unique challenges in upgrading City Island Ballpark, now officially named Jackie Robinson Ballpark (JRB). One of the park’s endearing features is its quirky layout. A canal runs alongside the third base line, while Orange Avenue borders the first base side. Due to the limited space, the development team needed to utilize a couple of unused tennis courts adjacent to right field for the new 38,000 square-foot player development facility, which will include essential training areas.
The lead contractor for the JRB renovation, Barton Malow, began work in 2024. Despite facing challenges in maintaining the park’s sacred structure and dealing with a high water table during summer rains, the team is committed to enhancing this iconic location while honoring its rich history.
