Dodson Park Dedicated in Honor of the Dodson Family

By: Shelia Mader

The Sneads Town Council officially dedicated Dodson Park last Friday afternoon, honoring the generosity of the Charles Dodson family, who donated the land where the park now stands.

Charles Dodson gave the property to the Town of Sneads with one clear purpose — to create a place for children and families to enjoy. The park was named in honor of his parents, Joe and Lola Dodson, longtime members of the Sneads community. Joe Dodson once taught at Sneads High School before going on to serve as a lawyer and later a circuit judge in Tallahassee.

Thanks to a $200,000 grant, the town was able to develop the park with age-appropriate playgrounds for children ages 2–5 and 5–12, along with benches, sidewalks for walking and biking, fencing, and new sod. Lighting will soon be installed with the help of R.E.A. and Western Electric, ensuring the park can be safely enjoyed in the evenings as well.

Though modest in size, about a quarter of an acre, Dodson Park adds a bright, welcoming space at the entrance to Sneads and stands as a meaningful tribute to the Dodson family’s love for their hometown.

Town officials expressed appreciation for Melvin Engineering and Hunter Potts, who helped design the project and make the most of the grant funding.

City Manager Bill Rentz praised the gift, noting, “This park wouldn’t be here without the generosity of the Dodson family. They gave it freely so the kids and families in our town would have a safe, beautiful place to play.”

Dodson Park is now open for the community to enjoy, a lasting reminder of one family’s deep commitment to Sneads and its future generations.