Staff photo by Clay Schuldt New Ulm Baseball Association received $2,350 from New Ulm Area Foundation for the Fred Johnson commemorative plaque. Members gathered in front of the plaque for the check passing, from left, Jim Bastian, John Illikman, Shannon Hillesheim, Pat Herzog, Elroy Ubl, Bob Skillings, Mike French, Jean Prochniak, Curt Forbrook, Leanna Fluegge, Kevin Fischer and Ron Reinhart.

NEW ULM–The New Ulm Area Foundation presented at $2,350 to the New Ulm Baseball Association for a plaque commemorating the contributions of Fred Johnson.

The baseball park was built in the 1939s as a federal approved Works Progress Administration (WPA) project. It was the vision of Fred W. Johnson, a civic leader and president of the New Ulm Park Association.

The park was renovated by the City of New Ulm in 2019-2020 as one of the Reinvest in New Ulm projects. Johnson Park is considered to be one of the Minnesota’s premiere “town ball” ballparks. NUAF’s grant is in alignment with its Historic Preservation and Economic Development pillars of focus. The commemorative plaque is in recognition of Fred Johnson, the individual who originally envisioned the venue.