Opened in time for the 1997 season, Joseph P. Riley, Jr. Park remains one of the premier atmospheres in Minor League Baseball. Named after the city’s longest-serving mayor, “The Joe” is the home of the RiverDogs and The Citadel baseball team.
The facility is named after the long-time former mayor of Charleston, Joseph P. Riley, Jr. Mayor Riley, an avid baseball fan. He is one of the city’s great promoters of the game of baseball, and despite his objections, city council voted unanimously to name the facility in his honor.
The facility is unique in several ways. Its uniqueness stems from the relationships fostered by the City of Charleston, the state of South Carolina (The Citadel) and a private enterprise (RiverDogs).
Riley Park was designed by Populous of Kansas City, MO., known primarily for their work at Oriole Park at Camden Yards (Baltimore), Jacobs Field (Cleveland) and Coors Field (Denver), among many others.
With the addition of the Riley Park Club–now known as the Segra Club– in 2017, the ballpark got its first major addition since the stadium was built.