Sunrise to Sunset

The 8.5-acre Orange Lake Community Park offers a baseball field, basketball court, volleyball court, playground, pavilion, picnic tables, & restroom & concession facilities. The park operates through a partnership between Marion County & the Orange Lake Community Club.

Orange Lake Community Park has a long history in the game of baseball dating back to 1918. During that time, Morris Modican organized a group of young men to play baseball in east Orange Lake. This field was located near the lake’s fishing camp. The area was close to train tracks, & it is believed that fans and players rode trains to get to the field.

In 1935, the field & team moved to west Orange Lake where the Orange Lake Ball Field was constructed. Later, in 1943, a new generation of players took over the field, producing such sluggers as James Brother Hunter, Levi Rackard, Charlie Ruthledge & Mack Jamerson. With the onset of World War II, women stepped up to the plate &, in 1946, began playing baseball & raising funds to help enrich the area.

Durrant Scott Sr. & Thomas James Smith Sr. took over the ball team some 20 years later. Smith, organizer & founder of the Orange Lake Athletic Community Club, is credited for the nickname “All-Stars” for the team. His goals included recruiting, encouraging, & promoting interest in baseball as well as fast-pitch softball within the community.

Thirty eight years later, in July 2004, Orange Lake Community Park was built. Mitch Jamerson, John Lund, Ella Davis & Harvey Klien Sr. are credited for the Orange Lake Community Park project. Mitch Jamerson, founder & organizer of Orange Lake Community Club Inc., together with club board members, developed the followings goals: health & fitness, youth programs, senior programs, encouraging, & promoting interest in academics & athletics. Orange Lake Community Club Inc. is community focused & dedicated to serve all people. 

Pets are not allowed at this facility.