Donna Houser arrived at Thursday’s ribbon-cutting ceremony for Iola’s new splash park expecting to celebrate the completion of a community project she had spent years helping bring to life. What she did not expect was to discover the park would bear her name.
As residents gathered for the official opening of the park, Community Involvement Task Force President Marie Barclay thanked donors, volunteers, city employees and community supporters who helped make the project possible before unveiling one final surprise.
“Ladies and gentlemen, we give you the Donna Houser Family Splash Pad!” Barclay announced.
The revelation drew an immediate reaction from Houser, who later admitted she had no idea the honor was coming. “Well, I didn’t think it was going to be named for me,” Houser said. “I thought it was going to be for Iola.”
Houser said the recognition was something she never anticipated. “I’ve never had anything named after me,” she said. She then recalled an earlier attempt to honor her late husband, Ray. “They tried to name the football field at Riverside Park after him when it was completed,” she said. “And I said no. He would come up from his grave.”
Then, drawing laughter from those nearby, she added, “I can’t die yet, so I can’t come up from mine.”
Despite the honor, Houser remained characteristically modest. “It is cute, but I didn’t deserve it,” she said.
Barclay was quick to disagree.
“Of course you did,” she told her. “You spearheaded this whole project, and you worked really hard.”
THE NAMING recognized Houser’s role in launching a project that began with a simple observation during a trip to Wichita.
Several years ago, Houser was in Wichita when she noticed the splash park at downtown Naftzger Park. The attraction sparked an idea. She brought the concept back to the Community Involvement Task Force, whose members agreed a splash park would be a welcome addition to Iola.
From there, Houser became one of the project’s strongest advocates, helping lead fundraising efforts and keeping the idea moving forward.
Speaking during the ceremony, Barclay acknowledged the years of work behind the opening. “Obviously, this has been a serious labor of love for people a lot longer than what I’ve been here,” she said.
Barclay said Houser’s commitment to the project never wavered. “I’ve spent a few years as president of the task force, but Ms. Donna here, this has been her labor of love,” she said. “We are so, so thankful that today we can present this to our community and to our visitors.”
She also thanked the City of Iola for its assistance throughout the process. “We’re so grateful for the City of Iola and everything they’ve done — from construction to mowing and signs,” Barclay said. “They’ve been amazing.”
Barclay also recognized fellow task force members and the chamber for helping support and promote the project.
