A century spent in Forsyth Park’s more genteel shadow doesn’t diminish the importance of Daffin Park (1500 E. Victory Dr.) as Savannah’s second major greenspace. Designed by John Nolen in 1907 and named for a former local parks commissioner, Daffin not only hosts a large variety of local athletes on its fields and courts, it’s home to Historic Grayson Stadium on the park’s east end.

Recently given a serious face-lift, Grayson Stadium hosts the minor league Savannah Sand Gnats. One of the great old ballparks of America, this venue dates from 1941 and has hosted greats such as Babe Ruth, Jackie Robinson, and Mickey Mantle.

Most picturesque for the visitor, however, is the massive fountain set in the middle of the expansive central pond on Daffin Park’s west side. Originally built in the shape of the continental United States, the pond was the backdrop for a presidential visit by Franklin D. Roosevelt in 1933, which included a speech to an African American crowd.

On the far west end of Daffin Park along Waters Avenue is a marker commemorating the site of the Grandstand for the Great Savannah Races of 1911.