by Beth Witten
Felton Little Park has been the heart of Auburn, Ala., literally and figuratively, since its inception in 1948. The C. Felton Little family, for the sum of one dollar, deeded the 7.93 acres located off Glenn Ave. for the “establishment and maintenance of a public park, for the benefit of the public,” as noted in the recording. Since then, the park has served as a testimonial to the long-standing dedication, support, and hard work of many staff, players, families, volunteer workers,and coaches. If you played baseball or softball in this community at an early age, you did so at Felton Little Park.
Long-time resident Steve Cosgrove and countless citizens set out to preserve the humble history of the park and document a historical timeline. Through meaningful conversations with community members, Steve writes, “The storied history of Felton Little Park, recognized as Auburn’s oldest park, deserves to be preserved and told.”
1949-1968: Early known uses of Felton Little Park
The park held high school football games for both Auburn High School and J.F. Drake High School. Drake games were played on Tuesday nights, while Friday nights were reserved for AHS games. “It is a common, vivid memory that the local community would fill the stands to watch and cheer their teams, players, and lively action. Auburn University students were in visible attendance. In the mid-season of 1968, AHS football games moved to Duck Samford Stadium. Trey Johnston, owner of J&M Bookstore, scored AHS’s last touchdown at Felton Little Park,” states Steve.
Two temporary baseball/softball fields were established, including wooden collapsible picket fences securing the outfields within the perimeter of the football field, allowing games in the spring and summer months of 1950-1969, primarily for youth ages 5-12. In the evenings, adult pickup and league softball games were held. Auburn University student softball and flag football games also occurred. “More often than not, a homerun would extend over the creek and railroad tracks,” recalls Steve.
1949-late1960s: Beasley‘s Pasture
Baseball and softball team practices took place in what was known as Beasley’s Pasture. Mary Luda Beasley, Alice (Beasley) Bidez, her husband, P.R. “Bede” Bidez, and the Beasley family owned the property across Glenn Ave., extending the length of the west side of Ross St. to Magnolia Ave. Five to six practice fields occupied the pasture. Estelle Mae Wittel and her husband, S.S. Wittel, acquired Beasley’s Pasture. While not their initial intended use of the property, the Wittel’s agreed to sell the 7.11 acres to the city on March 28, 1951. George H. “Monk” Wright was mayor. In 1964, the city began developing a municipal complex to house Fire Station #1 first, then a police station and city offices followed.
1949-present: Felton Little Park
Playground equipment and picnic areas continue today for community use, as when the Park was first opened on September 5, 1949. Over the decades, Little League Baseball and Dixie Youth Baseball and Softball programs were conducted within the three permanent Felton Little Park fields. The City of Auburn Parks and Recreation providedprograms for countless families and team play, creating abundant joy and excitement of the games. These three fields were first built in mid-1969 and continue in use today. The annual season-opening Play Day introduced all newly-suited-up players and age-group teams (ages 5-12). The event included a barbecue cookout provided by the War Eagle Lions Club, with each team playing a game. The day sets the tone for the upcoming season and promotes the standards for exemplary sportsmanship expected of all.
The 1955 and 1956 Auburn Little League All-Stars grew up learning and playing the game of baseball at Felton Little Park. These two teams won the Alabama State Championship. They advanced to and won the Southeast Regional Little League Tournament in Rome, Ga., earning a trip to the Little League World Series in Williamsport, Pa. All of this started at Felton Little Park in Auburn, Ala., and continues to this day. Little League and Dixie Youth Baseball player skill development, team/program activities, and accomplishments over the years all had one common denominator: Felton Little Park.
Trains Passing By
A unique feature of ball games at bucolic Felton Little Park occurs when plays stop due to a passing train. Whenever the trains pass by the near-North end right-of-way of Felton Little Park, kids, coaches, umpires, and fans takethe obligatory pause in action as the engineers, head brakemen, and firemen often blow the standard railroad “two longs, short and extra-long” whistle bursts to the kids’ pumping arms and fists in the air. The Central Pacific Railroad first stopped at the then-original Auburn Railroad Depot on May 13, 1865. That tradition continues today.
Parking
Parking proved a challenge in the early years until the City of Auburn became the beneficiary of a land stripperpendicular to the park, extending to Ross Street. This .359-acre parcel was granted to the city in October 1986 by Aileen (Samford) Walpole and her husband, B. Legare Walpole, for the sum of $10.00. This tract still serves the parking demands for Felton Little Park.
Memory Joggers
Steve provides moments that transcend time in a list of tidbits and memory joggers. Most parkgoers over the years remember the playground, including a teeter-totter, monkey bars, whirley wheel, and merry-go-round, which spun kids for over 44 years. The original 1949 merry-go-round now resides with Steve and his wife Sherry on the side of their yard in Asheton Park, with a welcome sign for anyone to enjoy.
Felton Little Park’s hallowed grounds have always been considered and supported by the City of Auburn and the Auburn Parks and Recreation Department. A collective effort on many fronts. “That value of municipal and departmental supportive engagement cannot be overstated,” states Steve.
Whether in the bitter cold of player tryouts, rainy days of spring, or the toll of sweltering summer heat, Felton Little Park was and still is a place where kids can gather, play ball, and have the best time of their young lives.
“This is the stuff that childhood memories and friendships are made of…this is Felton Little Park,” says Steve.
