Iola’s two newest parks, on opposite sides of Elm Creek on the south part of town, are now known as Elm Creek Park North and Elm Creek Park South.
Iola City Council members approved the name change Monday, as requested by members of the Iola Community Involvement Task Force/PRIDE Committee.
Council members also approved a request to have CITF/PRIDE member Jim Smith place a sign at Elm Creek Park South noting its historical significance to the community.
In Iola’s earliest years, with Washington Avenue doubling as the main north-south highway through town, the area had been developed by the Iola Kiwanis Club as a roadside park and campsite for visitors. It was known, Smith said, as the Iola Kiwanis Tourist Camp.
Smith also hopes to place a pair of park benches in the area.
Committee member Donna Houser spoke briefly about Elm Creek Park North, formerly known as South Washington Park. The area is inviting, at first glance, to passersby but has been avoided by many because of the abundant amounts of poison ivy. Elm Creek Park South is largely void of the nuisance weed.
In a related matter, CITF/PRIDE continues to raise funds for an effort to paint trim around the Recreation Community Building and Iola Muncipal Pool bathhouse in Riverside Park. Several donated items will be sold via a silent auction that ends at this weekend’s Iola Area Chamber of Commerce Business EXPO.
In addition, drawings for tickets to attend a Kansas City T-Bones baseball game and Allen Community College apparel also will be a part of the EXPO proceedings.
NOW THAT the City Council has been in office nearly a year, Mayor Bill Shirley is looking for input into how the council has governed.
Shirley asked council members to share their opinions about the group’s effectiveness, its strengths and areas in which it needs to improve.
He also is asking residents to sound off about him and the council, which was seated to replace a three-man city commission.
Correspondence can be sent to Shirley at 317 Canary Ln., Iola, KS 66749. He can be reached via email at wshirley@cox.net.
COUNCIL MEMBERS swatted away City Administrator Carl Slaugh’s proposal to eventually do away with its mosquito fogging program.
Slaugh said the practice is ineffective and costly. He suggested the city discontinue fogging once its existing equipment breaks down. He expected the program to cost about $13,000 this year.
