Crosley Field memorial site going forward

Cincinnati Reds Hall of Famer Tommy Helms will lead off the painting of the new Crosley Field memorial site at 10 a.m. April 11 at City Gospel Mission.

The mural will be painted on the side of the City Gospel Mission building as part of the Crosley Field memorial site, which was first announced in August 2014.

Helms, 74, won the 1966 National League Rookie of the Year Award. He had a 14-year playing career and was inducted into the Reds Hall of Fame and Museum in 1979. He later managed the Reds for part of 1988 and '89.

The City Gospel Mission and the Reds Hall of Fame and Museum have partnered on creating a baseball-related theme on the historic site in Queensgate.

City Gospel Mission moved to the property (1805 Dalton Ave.) in 2015.

There are already two replica foul poles and a replica light pole at the site along with base markers.

The larger-than-life mural depicting Crosley Field circa mid-1950s is the creation of Keep Cincinnati Beautiful artists.

The 17-foot-by-500-foot mural will feature replica advertisements from the era along with recreations of the urban and industrial surroundings of the ballpark.

The public can purchase a personalized brick to be a part of a special plaza. Packages start at $175 and include a replica keepsake brick in addition to the installed brick. Brick sizes include 4-by-8 inches and 8-by-8 inches and the sale start date has not been announced.

Monday is the 104^th anniversary of the first game played at Crosley Field (then called Redland Field). The Reds played at the ballpark from 1912 to June 24, 1970. 

Baseball had been played at the corner of Findlay Street and Western Avenue since 1884.

The mural unveiling and the site grand opening will be at noon June 6.

The Crosley Field memorial site will be free to visit. Other features include historical photos provided by the Reds Hall of Fame and Museum, a plaza with replica seats and commemorative bricks, a self-guided tour brochure and memorabilia for purchase.