Frankfort officials are assessing storm damage to a parks maintenance building while continuing summer projects and preparing for a busy Fourth of July celebration at TPA Park, according to department leaders speaking Thursday on WILO’s Partyline program.
Storm Damage, Cleanup Efforts
Parks and Recreation Superintendent Ryan Edgar said recent severe weather earlier this month caused significant damage to a storage building used for equipment.
“We had some major damage on one of our whole buildings where we keep our mowers,” Edgar said. “The northwest corner of it was completely demolished and torn down.”
Edgar said the department is working with its insurance carrier and gathering estimates for repairs. Despite the structural damage, he noted park grounds overall fared relatively well, with only minor debris cleanup needed.
Street Superintendent Brian Killman said the street department avoided major storm-related damage but continues to respond to downed limbs and ongoing cleanup needs. “We didn’t have anything major,” Killman said, noting that unpredictable wind patterns can still bring down trees even outside the strongest storms.
Both departments emphasized that residents should place limbs and debris along streets—not in alleys—for easier pickup. Killman added crews may need several days to respond due to workload. “Pile them up out front, give us a call,” he said. “Just realize it’s not going to be that day. Give us a few days to get it, but we’ll get it.”
Weather Slowing Alley and Paving Road Work
Persistent rain has delayed key infrastructure work, particularly alley maintenance and paving projects. “The rain’s killing us,” Killman said. “We put stone in and it’s been washed out.” He said the department hopes for an extended stretch of dry weather to catch up and plans to deploy additional crews and rented equipment when conditions improve. The goal is to restore a twice-per-year alley maintenance schedule, which has been scaled back in recent years due to workload and weather disruptions. Painting and some paving work are expected later in the season, likely beginning in early fall when temperatures are more favorable.
Fourth of July Planning Underway
Despite weather setbacks, planning is moving forward for Frankfort’s Fourth of July celebration at TPA Park, which Edgar expects will draw thousands. “We’re going to have quite the turnout this year,” Edgar said. Activities will begin at 3 p.m. and include a variety of family-friendly attractions such as a dog show, games, inflatables, and live music. Fireworks will again serve as the evening finale, coordinated with police and street department support for traffic control.
Killman said his department will assist by placing barricades and coordinating with Frankfort Police to manage traffic flow around the event.
Park Improvements and Usage
Edgar said park usage remains strong, particularly in the evenings at TPA Park and neighborhood parks like Green Street. “The main park in the evening, it’s booming pretty good,” he said. Several improvement projects are underway or planned, including new lighting near the golf course and pickleball courts, continued upgrades at Third Street Park, and future work on basketball courts once weather permits.
Frankfort currently maintains eight park properties, along with an additional lot.
Resident Cooperation Key
Both superintendents stressed the importance of public cooperation, especially during peak summer operations. Killman reminded residents to have trash and recycling set out by 7 a.m., noting that pickup times may vary as crews adjust schedules during heat advisories or heavy workloads. “Just be patient with us,” he said. “If we miss your trash…just contact us, and we take care of it.”
Edgar addressed ongoing issues at the city’s splash pad, which has experienced periodic closures. “When you take something that sits nine months out of the year and is running three months out of the year, it’s virtually impossible for that thing to take off without anything happening to it,” Edgar said. He also urged better public hygiene practices to help keep the facility operational, emphasizing that the splash pad is not designed as a bathing facility.
Equipment, Technology Updates
Both departments highlighted gradual upgrades in equipment and technology aimed at improving efficiency and safety. Killman pointed to newer leaf collection equipment that could reduce labor needs and improve reach, while Edgar noted advances in maintenance equipment such as modern mowers that allow crews to cover significantly more ground than in past decades.
Surplus Auction and Equipment Replacement
Killman said a recent city surplus auction successfully moved older equipment, including police vehicles. The department also recently retired a decades-old backhoe and replaced it with a newer model now in service.
