Jacksonville Mayor Alvin Brown joined city employees and volunteers Tuesday to clean up the area around the historic baseball park.
It was part of the first Mayors Day of Recognition for National Service. Over 800 Mayors from around the country participated in similar events encouraging citizens to give back to their communities.
James P. Small Park was selected for his historic significance. Open in 1912 and rebuilt in 1936 it served as Jacksonville's primary baseball park until Wolfson Stadium was built in 1954.
Several minor league teams played on the field. At times it served as spring training home to the Brooklyn Dodgers, New York Yankees, Pittsburgh Pirates and Philadelphia Athletics.
The Negro American League's Jacksonville Red Caps played on the field for three years.
Baseball legends Babe Ruth, Hank Aaron, Ty Cobb, Satchel Paige and "Cool Papa" Bell all played on the field.
The ballpark is named after James P. Small, who was a longtime teacher and baseball coach at Stanton High School.
