County officially renames Hancock Park
Over the past 30 years, thousands of local youth have been impacted by Kurt Donaldson in some way, especially if they wore cleats.
And on Saturday, the community decided to pay him back by officially christening Hancock Community Park as Kurt Donaldson Community Park, with a ceremony at the park on Hancock Bridge Parkway.
Many dignitaries, such as county commissioners Cecil Pendergrass and Brian Hamman were there to present a proclamation in honor of Donaldson.
“It’s a great opportunity to honor not only a great coach but a person who has shaped so many young lives,” Hamman said. “He is a coach who goes above and beyond. To be able to honor him is an honor.”
There was also live entertainment, as well as countless others who have learned the game and life from Donaldson.
The park was renamed in Donaldson’s honor last month by the Board of County Commissioners after Hamman was approached by the Little League board about the name change, saying it was long overdue.
“They said right now the park is named after a street. Why not name it after someone who’s done so much for so many?” Hamman said.
Donaldson has served his community as a Little League coach for more than 40 years, 30 of those with the Hancock American Little League.
Donaldson has also coached football for 40 years, 26 of those with the North Fort Myers Pop Warner.
Many of the people who coach now remember Donaldson coaching when they were kids and who today are seeing their children coached by him.
Chris Sams is a coach and current Hancock Little League board member who remembers being a 12-year-old Little Leaguer when Donaldson arrived at Hancock in 1985.
“Every day he’s up here with the kids. He’s good with kids and very knowledgeable,” Sams said. “He takes them to a movie or Dairy Queen. He’ll do anything for anyone. He’d take the shirt off his back. There’s nobody here who doesn’t look up to the man.”
“He’s a good coach. What he does in practice is fun, but you learn a lot,” said Jason Sams, 11. “He gives us tips on hitting and fielding, and he’s really helpful.”
“We all need that mentor to guide us and shape how we’re going to deal with the struggles of life. It may be just sports but it translates to everything else we do in life,” Hamman said.
Donaldson is also a tenured professor of chemistry at Edison State College.
Kurt Donaldson Community Park opened in 1976. The 17-acre park has four baseball fields and an outside basketball court. It also has five tennis courts, with programs, lessons and events run in partnership with the Lee County Community Tennis Association.
There is also a playground and picnic areas with two family pavilions.