Iola turns floodplain into oasis
Post date: April 16, 2015 4:25 AM
By David Toland, executive director for Thrive Allen County
In the summer of 2007 a 100-year flood hit rural Iola, Kansas (pop. 6000). Roughly 120 homes—primarily owned by low-to-moderate income Iolans—were destroyed. This punch to the gut was made worse when locals discovered that a buyout of properties in the floodplain by FEMA meant that no structures could ever again be built in what had been close-knit, bustling neighborhoods.
Thrive Allen County, a nonprofit health coalition based in Iola, saw the inklings of an opportunity in what was otherwise a sad situation. While no buildings could be erected on these former homesites, there were no restrictions on building athletic fields, community gardens, dog parks—the type of healthy lifestyles amenities that were badly needed in a county with a health ranking of #94 of 105 counties in Kansas.
With the help of a KU urban design student, Thrive presented colorful renderings showing the transformation of the Davis Addition neighborhood into multi-purpose athletic fields. A previously skeptical city commission suddenly embraced the concept when they saw the pictures. Construction started soon thereafter, with city crews doing the work on city-owned land.
It all snowballed from there.
Thrive’s Vision Iola Built Environment Plan (a planning process to change infrastructure to improve community health) identified the flood lands as an asset, rather than a liability, for a community that hadn’t necessarily seen them that way. Once built, it became apparent that the Prairie Spirit Trail should be extended to the new fields. Then local residents requested approval to establish neighborhood gardens, which the city permitted at no cost. The Elm Creek Community Garden began expanding around the same time, also on floodplain neighborhoods, ultimately growing to more than 120 plots.
And then came the dog park.
Thrive staff had noticed that the vast majority of medical professionals they recruited asked whether Iola had a dog park. At the first the answer was a laugh—in rural communities, dogs are more likely to run loose than to have their own parks. But after enough inquiries, that answer became, “No, but we’re working on it.”
Happy Tails Dog Park came not long after….and a driving force on the dog park committee was the wife of a new dentist.
It didn’t end with wagging tails. The first 1.5 mile extension of the trail turned into a 6.5 mile new trail from Iola to neighboring Humboldt. A new neighborhood park sprouted on the south bank of Elm Creek. An 18-hole disc golf course has opened. There is talk of expanding pickleball courts into the flood lands to alleviate congestion at the main courts farther north. A $200,000 inclusive playground opened last summer. And the Lehigh Portland Trails network—which use the flood lands as their jumping off point—will soon provide 10 miles of new trails.
Iola still hasn’t recovered fully from the tragedy of the flood, but it has adapted to a new reality, creating a healthier present—and future—for all of its residents.
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HCF's Local Health Buzz Blog aims to discuss health and health policy issues that impact the uninsured and underserved in our service area. To submit a blog, please contact HCF Communications Officers, Jennifer Sykes, at jsykes@hcfgkc.org.
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About Bridget's Blog
Bridget McCandless, MD, MBA, FACP, HCF President/CEO
Bridget McCandless is the President/CEO of the Health Care Foundation of Greater Kansas City and is a Board Certified Internal Medicine Specialist with an interest in chronic disease management and poverty medicine. She shares her thoughts and perspectives on health and policy issues that impact the health of the community as a whole.
March 19, 2015
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Comments
I just moved back to Iola because I see an opportunity to get involved with caring people who have a vision to make Iola a great place to live. On my land, located directly south of the Elks Lake and the Leihigh Portland trail, I am designating a gun-free Wildlife sanctuary and putting up some teepees so visitors will be able to camp out surrounded by wild animals and peace and tranquility. My idea is to create a place of healing and communication between animals and hummans.
I just moved back to Iola because I see an opportunity to get involved with caring people who have a vision to make Iola a great place to live. On my land, located directly south of the Elks Lake and the Leihigh Portland trail, I am designating a gun-free Wildlife sanctuary and putting up some teepees so visitors will be able to camp out surrounded by wild animals and peace and tranquility. My idea is to create a place of healing and communication between animals and hummans.
it is great to see that Iola is doing something to make it a more livable community. To really make it work requires leadership that is willing to reach out to every person in the community, young and old, rich and poor. I think Iola is a great Kansas town that can only get better. Always, my home town.
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