Four years ago, the idea of Prairie Creek Park began. On Wednesday, ground was broken on the project which is expected to make Frankfort a destination for businesses, families and retirees.
“It was just a monumental day and celebration for our community,” said Mayor Chris McBarnes. “This really changes the outlook for Frankfort moving forward. What we were yesterday doesn’t have to define what we are today.”
The park will be built in the vacant space across the street from the newly-erected Nickel Plate Flats apartment complex which Frankfort Main Street Executive Director Kim Stevens said was already 80 percent occupied in a little over six months with 70 percent of those occupants coming from outside Frankfort.
Approximately 150 individuals crammed into a heated tent on the project grounds to celebrate the occasion which helped offset the cold and bitter conditions outside.
“I think what Prairie Creek Park symbolizes is that we are not going to accept average or status quo in the community,” said McBarnes. “This going to be the front porch of our community. Our downtown is going to flourish and our small businesses are going to be supported.”
McBarnes said there was another celebration that was a huge and instrumental part of the project.
“Today was also celebrating our donors,” said McBarnes. “We raised $716,000 to go towards Prairie Creek Park and because of those generous donations from the many donors we had we were able to build this within existing city revenues. That means no new taxes. No separate taxes to build Prairie Creek Park. It’s in our existing revenue stream thanks to our private public partnership.”
McBarnes said the price tag on the project was right at $8 million with the two bonds. He said what he calls the outside part of the park, which is the stage area and amphitheater, will be ready for this year’s 25th Hot Dog Festival in late July. He said the parking garage and indoor portion of the park will be done in September.
This dynamic green space will offer vending spaces, two outdoor stages, splash pad, state of the art adaptive playground equipment and a pedestrian walking bridge along Prairie Creek.