BY ROGER SMITH
MOUNTAIN CITIZEN
INEZ — Martin County Fiscal Court is working to shed rundown images within the county. Progress is happening, as evidenced by Frank Horn Park.
The park lies off Route 40 on the west end of Inez and is home to the Martin County Cal Ripken League. For years, the park and its baseball field had fallen into disrepair. Structures were marred by damage and decay. Roofs leaked, stairs rotted away, and one dugout stood forlorn and closed off. The restroom facilities were shuttered, forcing the county to resort to temporary solutions. The scoreboard was a relic of better times, while the parking lot resembled an obstacle course more than a welcoming entrance.
But as the saying goes, it is always darkest before the dawn.
The Martin County Fiscal Court sparked a movement to bring Frank Horn Park back to life. With the Cal Ripken League’s Opening Day Ceremonies on the horizon, county officials, employees, volunteers and donors joined together in a race against time.
Buildings were mended and painted inside and out, new stairs and roofs were installed, and artists adorned the buildings with murals and new signage. The restroom facilities were transformed into clean, welcoming spaces, while a brand-new scoreboard stands tall and ready to share the scores of many future games.
The once treacherous terrain of the parking lot was smoothed over, offering a safe welcome. And the field, the heart of Frank Horn Park, was meticulously groomed.
The Opening Day Ceremonies were a culmination of this transformation.
Cal Ripken board president BJ Endicott thanked everyone who had lent a hand.
“We start with a thank you to the judge, the deputy judge and all the county workers,” he said. “They’ve done a wonderful job helping us out. We’re super proud of our field. I’ve always been proud of it, but I’m extremely proud this year.”
Endicott presented Martin County Judge/Executive Lon Lafferty with a baseball signed by the Cal Ripken board members, a token of appreciation that drew applause from those gathered.
Judge Lafferty shared his joy at being part of the occasion and working for Martin County’s youth. “That’s what I like most of all,” he said.
The judge acknowledged the collective effort that breathed new life into the park, extending his gratitude to the many hands that played a part. From the Fiscal Court’s $30,000 grant for work on all county parks to the daily toil of volunteers led by Dwayne Mills of Appalachia Reach Out; from the hard work of county road foreman Titus Marcum, code enforcement officer Paul McCoy, facilities director Eric Phelps and crews to the artistic contributions of local talents like Misty Jo Beverly, Kate Marcum and Katie O’Connor; from the generosity of financial donors like Tim Robinson, founder and CEO of Addiction Recovery Care, to the work of J&L Construction, the planning and management carried out by Deputy Judge/Executive Carolea Mills, and the spirit and function of the entire Cal Ripken League—each was vital to the achievement.
“Our county is just tremendously blessed,” remarked Lafferty.
The judge had one simple request for the young athletes: to care for their park and keep it clean.
In all, about 200 children use the field at Frank Horn Park.