TOPEKA — Months of work to establish a new state park in Allen County came to fruition Thursday when Kansas lawmakers overwhelmingly approved creation of Lehigh Portland State Park.
The park will encompass 360 acres of land at the south edge of Iola, containing the Lehigh Portland Trails complex and the quarry formerly known as Elks Lake.
Word became official shortly after 8:30 p.m. Thursday, when the Kansas House of Representatives voted, 114-9, in favor of the park. Earlier in the day, Senators voted 35-5, in favor.
The legislation now awaits Gov. Laura Kelly’s signature.
Both legislators representing Allen County, Rep. Fred Gardner, R-Garnett, and Sen. Caryn Tyson, R-Parker, voted with the majority.
Iola Industries, which owns the land, is donating it to the state in order for the park to become reality.
“This doesn’t happen without a groundswell of community support,” said Lisse Regehr, an Iola Industries board member and CEO of Thrive Allen County, which has worked in league with Iola Industries in putting the plan together. “This effort had hundreds of people behind it, supporters who wrote letters of support on a moment’s notice, who emailed their legislators, and who filled the rooms in our statehouse.
“It’s important to make sure everyone understands that you can’t do this without that level of support,” she continued. “That means something. It means everything. And it allowed our legislators to see the passion and support that this project had. That’s what made this happen.”
John McRae, president of Iola Industries, heaped praise on Regehr and John Leahy, Thrive’s trails manager, for their efforts, as well as Mary Kay Heard, Iola Industries board chairwoman.
“Those guys have worked their tails off,” McRae said. “And Mary Kay has been dogged in this pursuit. Our board has been 100% behind it. It’s just really exciting.”
Rep. Sydney Carlin, D-Manhattan, was among the House members to speak in favor of the state park, noting she swam in the lake as a youngster.
Her comments echoed those of State Senator Mary Ware of Wichita from earlier in the day. “It’s a wonderful concept,” Ware said. “I can’t wait to go.”
