AT&T Park in San Francisco was honored in 2015, and Target Field in Minneapolis received the designation in 2017. Marlins Park in Miami became MLB’s only LEED Gold-certified ballpark in the new construction category in 2012.
Oriole Park and the accompanying B&O Warehouse, which was awarded with LEED Silver, were honored this week for demonstrating year-round sustainable activities and practices, including waste management, recycling, paperless tickets, and reduced energy usage and electrical consumption.
As the Orioles join other MLB teams in honoring Earth Day on Sunday, Oriole Park and the B&O Warehouse will be presented with their respective LEED certifications in a pregame ceremony with Maryland Lt. Gov. Boyd Rutherford, representatives from the U.S. Green Building Council, the Maryland Stadium Authority, and Paladino and Company, an associated firm that helped with the research and certification process to recognize buildings that are environmentally and socially responsible.
As part of the Community Heroes program, which recognizes individuals at each weekend home game who have inspired others through their commitment to extend a hand in charity, service, hope and harmony, the Orioles will recognize a volunteer from the Chesapeake Bay Foundation as the Community Hero on Sunday. The Orioles will also make a $2,500 donation to the Chesapeake Bay Foundation in honor of the hero, as part of a $300,000 pledge the Orioles and the Orioles Charitable Foundation made before the season to honor past and future Community Heroes.
Orioles players and coaches will wear green-accented jerseys and caps to celebrate Earth Day as they play the Cleveland Indians at 1:05 p.m. The game-worn jerseys and caps will be autographed, authenticated and auctioned online at orioles.com/auctions to benefit the Chesapeake Bay Foundation.
“Through our many programs supporting Save the Bay, World Environment Day, Marie Selby Botanical Gardens, wellness and yoga events, the Oriole Garden at Camden Yards in partnership with the National Wildlife Federation, and our Eat-Train-Live Like the Pro’s Health & Fitness Challenge, the Orioles organization will continue to prioritize protecting human health, plant-based and organic food sources, and the environment that the next generation will inherit,” said John Angelos, the club’s executive vice president.
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