Dozer Park Transformed for Local Football Season
Peoria workers converted the baseball stadium into a functional gridiron for local high school competition.
Updated on Oct. 9, 2026 in Football
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Dozer Park has transitioned from a baseball stadium to a football venue to support local high school athletics this fall. Grounds crews utilized GPS-guided equipment and specialized agronomic adjustments to prepare the field for multiple sports.
Why it matters
The conversion allows Dozer Park to serve as a versatile facility for both professional baseball and regional football. Enhancements to the playing surface, including new hybrid sod, were designed to boost durability and player safety throughout the overlapping seasons.
The playing surface is maintained at a consistent height of 1.25 inches for both baseball and football operations. Peoria Notre Dame holds a 9-2 record at the 24-year-old facility.
The players
Ben Wilson
He oversees the complex logistical process of converting the baseball field into a football gridiron.
Peoria Chiefs
This professional minor league baseball team calls Dozer Park its home stadium.
Peoria Notre Dame
This local high school team has utilized Dozer Park for football competition since 2015.
Wilson Services of Central Illinois
The company serves as the title sponsor for the playing surface at the stadium.
The details
The conversion process requires the removal of the pitcher's mound, the installation of portable goalposts, and the application of line markings via a GPS-programmed robot. Grounds crews also adjust soil moisture levels to ensure the dirt areas are appropriately softened for football athletes.
Timeline
Peoria Notre Dame began playing football at Dozer Park in 2015.
Peoria Notre Dame played Danville on September 25, 2026.
Morton will face Metamora at Dozer Park on October 16, 2026.
The Big Picture
The adoption of HGT hybrid Kentucky bluegrass sod follows a broader trend in stadium management to integrate more durable, multi-use turf varieties. This shift allows facilities to support diverse athletic schedules without compromising field integrity.
Fans attending games at Dozer Park can observe a unique field configuration that includes portable goalposts and adjusted soil moisture in former dirt areas. The conversion ensures the venue remains a central hub for Peoria-area sports throughout the autumn.
The takeaway
The successful transformation of Dozer Park highlights the importance of precise agronomic planning for multi-sport venues. Local teams and fans benefit from these seasonal updates that ensure high-quality playing conditions for autumn football games.
What happens next
Dozer Park will host a high school football game between Morton and Metamora on October 16, 2026.
Further reading
Find more coverage of regional athletics on the Football section.
Source note: This article includes information reported by Indianapolis Star.
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