Over 75 individuals turned out on a day with crystal clear skies and sunny conditions for a very special dedication Saturday afternoon at Dorner Park.
The Frankfort Parks Department and the Descendants of Philip Dorner held a three-for-one special on the day — the Dedication of the Pickle Ball Courts, a continued dedication of the Mary Jane McMahon Memorial Dog Park and a rededication of Dorner Park.
“It was due to my father, who doesn’t officially get credit,” said George Dorner, the grandson of George and Perle Comly Dorner. “It was his financial for what he left for me and my sister that allowed this to happen. We’re very proud of that and the idea that folks have already expressed their gratitude for the dog park, for the pickleball courts, for the daffodils. It is terrific.”
Frankfort Mayor Judy Sheets was also on hand for the special ceremony.
“This is going to be such a great thing for our community,” said Sheets. “It’s something that’s been wanted for a few years. George Dorner and his family stepped up to make sure that we were able to have the pickleball court. Also, we have the dog park. He has been out here planting daffodils when he’s been back in Frankfort. So, we’re sprucing Dorner Park up.”
Sheets also said this is going to be a very nice spot for neighbors in the area who have grown up with Dorner Park.
“They (the neighbors) were very much looking forward to this,” said Sheets. “I’m excited about this. I don’t even know how to thank George Dorner enough. This was amazing and it would have never happened without him. The funding, the work he put into it and all the time does not go unnoticed. We’re so thankful for him.”
Not only were the parks rededicated, but the park also has a renovated concession stand plus an upgraded horseshoe courts and building, and an improvement with the basketball court is also part of things across the street.
“This was an incredible family experience,” said Dorner. “I look forward to coming back and seeing how things progress. The Dorner Giving Fund of the Clinton County Foundation will continue to support the park in a small way and other Frankfort projects.”
Dorner added the event was special for another reason.
“I didn’t have an experience like this where I had an attachment to a place because we moved around,” said Dorner. “People envy that.”
Photos of the event can be seen by clicking links below