Franklin Community Park

Specific Need

We are seeking support to maintain the Franklin Community Park. We assumed ownership of the park after our merger with Franklin Community Council, Inc. and have taken on the responsibility of maintaining the park.  Volunteers help in many cases but maintenance, security, gardening, lighting, keeping the playground safe and well maintained and other daily routine issues take a toll on our organization.  We appreciate any assistance with hiring staff to help keep the garden maintained, the playgrounds safe, and all equipment and grounds well maintained for use by residents from all of southeast Kansas. Our reservations give us a picture of how many people from towns outside of Franklin uses the facilities. 

Profile

Miners Hall Museum maintains and operates the Franklin Community Park.  The park is open to the public at no cost, and we see high usage of the facilities. 

Many people in addition to Franklin residents come to “walk the walk” which is a nice, safe walking path that surrounds the park. We schedule reservations at no cost which assures visitors access to the pavilion, the bbq pit and other facilities. 

The park is highly used as many walk the walking path (6 laps = 1 mile) for their daily exercise routine.  The park is also used for family gatherings and picnics, BBQs, exercise for adults and children, playground,  basketball, horseshoes, bocce court, and many other amenities which are available for use to everyone.  Weddings have been held in the Memorial Garden. 

Historic items are placed throughout the park. Signs denote their significance.  The sign at the front of the garden area was built by area residents Ray Hamblin, John Nepote and Melvin Patrick. These 3 men built many of the brick structures and signs throughout the park.  The beautiful Sacred Heart and angels which had previously been imbedded in the face of St. Philip Neri Church in Franklin were donated by the Toschi/Pitts family and are imbedded in the park sign.  The historic items were saved by a volunteer group of men under the leadership of Henry Ashbacher and Craig Stokes.  Henry also led the construction of the pavilion.

After the tornado of 2003, help came from many people included noted actor/director Paul Newman who donated money for the storm siren located at the park.  Joan Hornig, well-known New York jewelry designer, donated special one-of-a-kind pieces to raise money for the community.

The existing sidewalk which is at the west end of the park is listed on the State and National Historic Register.  We invite visitors to “Walk the Walk” which is a 1.9 mile sidewalk known as the longest sidewalk connecting two communities (Franklin and Arma).  The park is also located along the well-known Jefferson Highway a/k/a Frontier Military Scenic ByWay.