Durham Athletic Park | City explores future of historic park where ‘Bull Durham’ was filmed – ABC11 Raleigh-Durham

Durham Athletic Park, which dates back to 1926, stands for some as a beloved symbol of the Bull City and countless sports game memories.

“When I went to Durham High, the football team played there,” Cavett French said. “I mean, it was a field, but we didn’t have anywhere else to play.”

For TJ McDermott, who owns King’s Sandwich Shop just across the street, the course brings back fond memories.

“One of my fondest memories as a Notre Dame fan is when Notre Dame was practicing there,” McDermott said. “But before that it was the Durham Bulls games.”

The city of Durham is exploring the future use of the historic park that was once home to the Durham Bulls and the North Carolina Central baseball team. It was also where the movie “Bull Durham” was filmed. Now it’s used for events like youth and college baseball, but it’s not used enough, according to Discover Durham President and CEO Susan Amey.

“It’s in such a lovely part of downtown, very walkable from everywhere,” Amy said. “So it makes a lot of sense to do a study on that and the idea is to get input from the community about what they would like to see there.”

The city hired Perkins & We will publish a study next year on the future use of the park, which will include community feedback. Some say they hope the park stays as it is.

“I think it would be great to have it the way it is because it’s been there for a long time,” French said. “It matters a lot.”

“I wish nothing would happen to this,” McDermott said. “Just like King’s is doing, just like some of the old buildings that are left … I just see everything evaporating into apartments and condos.” I don’t, that’s not what I’m looking for.’

While it’s too early to say what the vision for the historic space will be, Amy said the city of Durham as a whole has the potential to grow.

“We could use more sports, we could use more entertainment. We need a space for music, festivals and things like that,” Amy said. “There are a lot of different possibilities.”