TOPEKA — Iola is officially home to Kansas’s 29th state park.
Gov. Laura Kelly announced Wednesday morning she signed legislation creating the Lehigh Portland State Park on 360 acres of land at the south edge of Iola.
In a news release, Kelly pointed to the tourism dollars the new state park will bring to Allen County “and provide another place for families to enjoy the outdoors. … I know firsthand how important our parks are to our communities and our economy.
“This bill also helps our veterans overcome financial barriers to participate in all the good our parks have to offer,” Kelly said.
The legislation offers disabled veterans with permanent hunting and fishing licenses for free.
“I’m glad to see this bill recognizes the beauty, benefits, and economic opportunity that those of us from the area have always seen in the Lehigh Portland site,” added Lt. Gov. David Toland, an Iola native.
State Rep. Doug Blex, R-Independence, called the park “a great win for Kansans to enjoy our outdoor experiences.”
“Getting a nearly $2 million property donated by Iola Industries, a unique trail system already developed and paid for, plus the potential of getting a near 100% recreational development grant makes Lehigh a very cost-effective addition to (the) Kansas State Park system,” Blex said. “It only makes sense to allow such a unique property to be acquired.” 
NEXT UP on the to-do list is to complete the property title transfer from Iola Industries to the state, in order for infrastructure work to begin.
What will follow, and how soon the lake is reopened to the public, will depend on a number of factors dictating how quickly infrastructure is added to the 138-acre body of water formerly known as Elks Lake.
While the lake likely will not open this summer, the 14 miles of trails will remain open to the public through the transition.
One key factor on infrastructure development hinges on whether the Lehigh Portland project will qualify for a State Park Revitalization and Investment in Notable Tourism (SPRINT) grant, an offshoot of SPARK (Strengthening People and Revitalizing Kansas), which were federal funds distributed to states in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic.
State Parks Director Linda Lanterman said, if successful, the entire $7.7 million Lehigh project could be funded from the SPARK grant.
Proposed features include several fishing docks, four restroom buildings placed around the lake and trails, about 50 campsites, seven “floating” cabins positioned in the water and six regular cabins, two RV campgrounds, a visitor center, a splash park and playground and continued development of the more than 200 acres of surrounding trails.
The campground and recreation areas would include water, sewer and electricity.
