Lehigh Portland State Park

•  April 19th, 2023: “Governor Kelly Signs Bill Establishing New State Park in Allen County”

Lehigh Portland State Park is the product of a years-long project led by Thrive and Iola Industries. The land was donated to the Kansas Department of Wildlife and Parks in 2023 by Iola Industries, and Thrive is contracted as the Grounds Supervisor for the trails. It sits on the site of a former cement plant with the area now being a natural sanctuary, sitting on over 360 acres of land with a massive variety of natural sites to see. Everything from deep woodland, Kansas prairie, gorgeous coastal cliffs, and even a cave can be explored in the park. This picturesque place is perfect for outdoor enthusiasts.

Crisscrossing across the park are around 14 miles of trails. There are around 2.5 miles of gravel trails at the park including the around 1.2 mile long “backbone trail.” Alongside it are 12.5 miles of dirt trails perfect for mountain biking, trail running, and nature hikes!

Giving Tuesday (2020-Present)

Allen Regional Transit (2020-2024)

How It Began

Thrive Allen County launched transportation services in 2020, providing safe and accessible transportation to Allen County residents for their health and wellness needs. Later, this become known as Allen Regional Transit (A.R.T.) which garnered it’s own 501(c)3 non-profit status and rolled off into it’s own organization in 2024.

Allen Regional Transit (A.R.T.)

Need a ride across town to the grocery store, library, or work? Allen Regional Transit can get you there. Their bus offers rides to in-county destinations. A.R.T. offers two types of transportation: general public transportation and safety net transportation. Call to request a ride: 620-228-0463.

Non-Emergent Medical & Safety Net Transportation

Have an appointment outside the county? You can use Allen Regional Transit to visit in- or out-of-county doctors, dentists, therapists, social service offices, and more. Their service area includes Topeka, Kansas City, Wichita, and Joplin.

Your Transportation

A.R.T. serves residents of Allen County regardless of age or income. Riders under 18 years old must be accompanied by an adult. Service hours are 7:00 AM-5:00 PM, Monday through Friday. They utilize a twelve-person bus for public transportation and a four-door sedan or van for safety net rides. Their vehicles are equipped with seat belts and airbags, and they are regularly cleaned and sanitized. A.R.T.’s drivers are trained in passenger assistance, first aid, and defensive driving.

4 Life Hypertension Program (2018)

4 Life is a lifestyle change program designed to help lower high blood pressure.  This 4-month program aims to help you commit to lowering your risk for high blood pressure and live a healthier life.  Local experts will talk each week followed by a facilitated group discussion. The program utilizes the American Heart Association’s “Check. Change. Control” online tracker to self-monitor your blood pressure over the duration of the program.  A lifestyle coach will check in and keep you motivated and accountable.

• Session 1 – Introduction to hypertension
• Session 2 – Healthy eating, sodium reduction, and alcohol usage
• Session 3 – Importance of physical activity
• Session 4 – Stress Management and coping with triggers
• Session 5 – How to keep on track
• Session 6 – Understanding blood pressure medications
• Session 7 – Skills to live by

For questions, or to sign up for the next program, call Thrive at 620-365-8128.

Your Community Foundation (2017)

Your Community Foundation (formerly known as the Allen County Community Foundation) helps to build and strengthen the community, bringing together people and organizations that want to make a difference in Allen County.

It is a tax-exempt public charity that allows people to establish permanent endowment funds within the scope of one large foundation.

Allen County Community Foundation
210 South Street
Iola, Kansas 66749
(620) 380-6154

Visit the Your Community Foundation Web Site

Follow Your Community Foundation on Facebook

Enrollment Assistance (2017-Present)

Thrive is here to help individuals enroll in assistance programs that they may need to make life a little bit easier. This assistance is provided at no charge. Programs we can assist with include:

• Insurance through the Federal Marketplace
• KanCare-Medicaid for Kansas
• Child Care Assistance Program (CCAP)
• Children’s Health Insurance Program (CHIP)
• Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP)
• Supplemental Security Income (SSI)
• Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI)
• Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF)
• Women, Infant, and Children’s Food & Nutrition Service (WIC)
• Low Income Energy Assistance Program (LIEAP)

For other programs not listed, please call Thrive to discuss how we can help!

Thrive does not exclude, deny benefits to, or otherwise discriminate against any person on the basis of race, color, national origin, disability, sex, or age in admission to, participation in, or receipt of the services and benefits under any of its programs and activities.

To request accessible information or accommodations:

• Call us at 620-365-8128
• Email us at info@thriveallencounty.org
• Send us a fax at 620-365-0007
• Send us a letter at 9 S Jefferson St, Iola, KS 66749

Health Insurance Assistance (2013-Present)

Thrive Allen County provides assistance for consumers (individuals, families, small businesses) seeking health insurance, through our Navigator program, which helps people sign up for coverage under the Affordable Care Act’s Health Insurance Marketplace.

TAC is known as THE go-to place for Navigator assistance. Our Navigators have helped to reduce Allen County’s uninsured rate from 21% in 2013 to 9% in 2018. Our Navigators have assisted thousands of people, assisting consumers with applications, enrollment into insurance plans and educating them on how to understand and utilize their insurance plans.

Our certified Marketplace Navigators have undergone extensive training to assist you with learning about your health insurance options, and in applying for and choosing health insurance coverage that meets your needs.

If you need help, please contact Thrive at info@thriveallencounty.org or 620-365-8128. Our services are FREE, and they are open to everyone.

Learn more: Improving Healthcare Access in Allen County Kansas 

(Visit KansasCARES.org for assistance.)

For more information or to request an addition to the Bike Share Program, contact Patrick Zirjacks or call our office at 620-365-8128.

Portland Alley Pedalfest (2016-2017)

The Portland Alley Pedalfest was an annual bicycling music festival that took place in Iola, Kansas on the first weekend after Labor Day.

About The Portland Alley Pedalfest

The Portland Alley Pedalfest was a celebration of bikes, music, food, and fun! It featured bike rides and activities for the whole family. The Portland Alley Pedalfest began on Friday evening with free camping and a bike-in outdoor movie.

During the event, people enjoyed a full day of bike rides starting at 8am. There were five route options – a 15-mile family ride, 25 miles, 50 miles, 75 miles, and a 100-mile century route – with each route beginning and ending at Riverside Park in Iola. All routes took riders on the Southwind Rail Trail between Iola and Humboldt; longer routes continued through the communities of Petrolia, Chanute, Stark, Savonburg, Elsmore, Moran, Mildred, Kincaid, and Colony, with 100-mile riders finishing up on the Prairie Spirit Trail. There were rest stops with water and food along the routes.

After the Saturday rides, Riverside Park was the center of activity, with food vendors, a beer garden, and live music and entertainment through the evening hours.

Sunday featured self-guided bicycle tours of the surrounding countryside. Route maps were provided.

Participants could camp at Riverside Park on Friday and Saturday nights, with showers, restrooms, water, and free Wi-Fi provided. Restaurants and shops in Iola would be open, as would local churches for those attending Sunday morning worship services.

The registration fee for the Portland Alley Pedalfest was $45, which included Saturday rides and Sunday route maps, camping at Riverside Park, access to the music festival, and access to the beer garden, food vendors, and event expo. An event T-shirt was also included.

Come Play Outside (2016)

Having places for people to be active can be a challenge in communities with few parks or recreational facilities, and school playgrounds can help fill the gap.

Thrive has worked with local school districts to establish joint use agreements to permit the general public to use gymnasiums, playgrounds and athletic fields on school properties, when they’re not in active use for school purposes.

This initiative grew out of community forums hosted by Thrive Allen County in 2016, in which residents helped select and prioritize projects and initiatives in each Allen County city.

Connectors (2016)

Note: Although this program is no longer in service, Thrive’s care coordinators are willing to assist. This program highlighted the need in our community, which ultimately led to the start of the Humanity House.

Answering questions. Finding solutions. Making a difference. Finding the right place to turn to when you need help can be difficult. Do they know what they are talking about? Are they the right people to ask? Do they even care about me and my problem?

In Allen County you can turn to CONNECTORS for help with any problem. That’s right, ANY problem at all.

We all need help sometime with health, family, finances, legal, education, employment or many other everyday issues. CONNECTORS give you a place to get friendly and reliable assistance.

Need to know how to handle credit problems? Call CONNECTORS. Looking for job training? Call CONNECTORS. Need affordable healthcare? Call CONNECTORS. Tax problem? Call CONNECTORS. Whether you need help because you are being evicted or need financial planning after winning the lottery, call CONNECTORS.

With Connectors there is NO WRONG DOOR. Whatever your problem you will get the best available information and referral we can provide. We will let you know about eligibility requirements, deadlines, office hours, locations and everything else you need to know to get the help your need. If you don’t know where to start or who to turn to start here.

Who are the CONNECTORS?

We like to think of our CONNECTORS as our local GENIUSES…like those guys who know everything about your tech needs. But our geniuses are people from Allen County who have been helping people with information and referrals for years in their various careers. Now they are undergoing comprehensive training across all forms of assistance. They meet regularly with people from agencies, community groups businesses and local governments and learn the most updated and accurate information available.

A Project of Thrive Allen County and Allen County Rural Health Initiative, funded by Reach Healthcare Foundation.

ACT Together – Allen County Tomorrow (2016)

ACT (Allen County Tomorrow) Together, was part of the Community Engagement Initiative funded by the Kansas Health Foundation. This grant was resident-led, meaning we asked the question, “What do you think would make Allen County a healthier place to live, work and play?” and our residents responded with many different and unique priorities with projects sprinkled throughout the county. Collectively, these priorities made our county a healthier county:

1. Employment and Business Development
2. Public Safety
3. Safe and Clean Green Spaces
4. Complete Streets
5. Opportunities for Physical Activity
6. Student Achievement

#kshealthengage

The Community Engagement Initiative (2015-2018)

The Community Engagement Initiative (2015-2018), funded through the Kansas Health Foundation, brought together residents from across Allen County to engage in meaningful, in-depth conversations about our challenges, our resources, and our aspirations for our community. After much discussion, participants chose six priorities for healthier community focus:

1. Employment and Business Development
2. Public Safety
3. Safe and Clean Green Spaces
4. Complete Streets
5. Opportunities for Physical Activity
6. Student Achievement

Residents developed a Community Action Plan, and immediately began to implement elements of that plan. Here are some of the projects, initiatives, and accomplishments from the Community Engagement Initiative process:

• Iola Complete Streets Policy
• King of Trails Bike/Ped Bridge
• Storm Warning Systems in Carlyle, Elsmore, Petrolia
• Storm Shelter in Mildred
• LaHarpe Community Cleanup
• Improve playground in LaHarpe
• Open Use Agreements
• Fitness Center in Moran
• Establish Regional Rural Technology Center
• Humboldt Downtown Revitalization

Lessons learned through the Community Engagement Initiative:

• Listen: Community Conversations are a Must — This is the space you give your residents to be the leaders and definers of the place that they live, work, play and pray. Ask them what THEY think makes their community a healthier place to be. Check the statistics at the door and open the room up for real grassroots initiatives. Residents have a voice that can change the environment that they live in. Empower them. And expect to be surprised.
• Be Fearless: For every idea or dream for change, there are many reasons why they can’t happen. Don’t believe it. Address the fears or concerns. Throw them all out on the table and then figure out a few ways that will overcome them. If it is unforeseen, don’t call it in obstacle, call it an opportunity. What are you willing to lose, to still win?
• Pass on the Power: As a community liaison, it is your responsibility to be the facilitator, trainer, relationship builder, area expert, capacity builder, resource connector, etc. But not forever. Start from the beginning collecting a list of everyone you meet that is involved with the community work, how to get in touch with them and what their talent is. Talent is defined in many ways. Maybe it is social media guru, painter, builder, grant writer, heavy machine operator, baker, has a lot of children and likes to do things as a family. Anyone that expresses interest is part of it and by growing this capacity, you grow power. By passing on responsibility, you cultivate more leaders in your community. They say the words.
• Everyone Plays a Part: Resident-led initiatives will lead to Policy, Systems, and Environmental changes that will create sustainability. To reach success, you will need those residents on the ground working, the decision-makers to work with you, and your earned media to get the story out. Make sure everyone knows the story and there is space to celebrate those successes.

Learn More: Community Engagement Initiative Presentation

The Jingle Bell Jog (2015-2017)

The Jingle Bell Jog is a holiday tradition in Iola, Kansas that’s a great way for locals and visitors alike to stay fit and active! (And local hosts, it’s also a great way to get houseguests out of your way while you’re making last-minute preparations for Christmas…)

It’s a great opportunity for people to enjoy the outdoors with their friends and neighbors, while remaining active and helping to celebrate the season. Water, hot cocoa and gingerbread will be provided after the run at the finish line.

This event was hosted by Thrive for many years, and is now organized by the Iola High School Track & Field team.

Learn more: Jingle Bell Jog on Facebook

Bike Allen County (2015)

Bike Allen County is an initiative to promote, nurture, and improve bicycling in Allen County, Kansas.

The web site (at BikeAllenCounty.org) provides information for both residents and visitors about bicycling in Allen County — trails, routes, events, news, and more.

The objective of Bike Allen County is to help create a community where bicycling for recreation and transportation is a normal part of everyday life, where it’s easy to get around by bike, and where active living is encouraged and celebrated.

Visit Bike Allen County

Follow Bike Allen County on Facebook

GROW Food & Farm Council (2014)

The purpose of Allen County GROW (Growing Rural Opportunities Works) Food and Farm Council is to increase access to affordable, nutritious and safe food for Allen County residents.

Objectives include support of the development of local food infrastructure to support the production, processing, distribution and safe, affordable and locally produced food products; educate and promote stewardship and conservation of land, water and natural resources; improve health outcomes and increase access to wholesome local food.

Allen County GROW was started by an Allen County Commissioners’ resolution in August 2014. Council members include producers, people involved with food banks and nutrition in the schools, a physician, people involved with nutrition education, as well as a restaurant manager, a small grocer, and a high school student. One of the purposes of the council is to improve the health of county residents.

In 2015, Allen County ranked 87th out of 101 ranked counties for health outcomes in the County Health Rankings put out by the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation. As part of determining the needs of the county when it comes to the availability of healthy food, Allen County GROW did a community food survey. The CDC’s Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System shows that less than 20% of county residents consume the five fruit and vegetable servings recommended per day. Only 7.1% of our respondents had eaten that many the day before answering the survey.

Allen County GROW Food Assessment Final Report

Allen County GROW Food Assessment Executive Summary

Follow Allen County GROW on Facebook

The Movement Allen County (2014)

It’s about Movement. Movement to be more physical. Movement to eat more healthy foods. Movement to inspire others to join.

2014 Dates: May 5th- June 27th

Thrive Allen County is sponsoring a county-wide eight week healthy living initiative. Initially, this was called The Meltdown, and was very successful and popular in our county. Many of our participants have gone through this five times now. We will focus on physical activity and nutritional classes to educate and motivate individuals in the community to eat better and create more movement in their lives. The name change to The Movement comes from the need to continue the momentum repeat individuals have contributed to make this a success. We are hoping to encourage more people to join “the movement” that many of our Allen County residents have already committed to and that is a healthier lifestyle.

Through the previous five years, we have had 1086 registrants and have reported an average of a little over 1900 pounds lost each year. We have taken our male participation rate from 12% to 22%. We had volunteer instructors in Iola, Moran, Elsmore, Humboldt, and LaHarpe for easy access to physical activity classes and healthy nutrition classes.

For 2014 we will be adding interactive, loads-of-fun, hands-on super-healthy cooking classes. We will be setting up a kitchen at different locations so each community in Allen County will have chance to participate in the live cooking demonstrations. You will cook and you will eat!

We also be working on a TEAM concept, although individuals may work independently also. With a team we believe that it will encourage new friendships, support, add a level of competitiveness, keep each other motivated and allow for you to always have a person to participate in classes with.

We have partnered with many businesses around the county that have workplace wellness policies already in effect with a great response. Through conversations with the businesses we realized that there is a strong bond between staff members and that sometimes they can be the biggest support system for someone trying to become more healthy. Staff spends approximately 40 hours a week together; sometimes more than with their family and friends. So, in taking this into consideration, we went to the businesses and made the ask to sponsor their staff with a positive response. Moran Manor, Community National Bank, CLO, and Gates all sponsored. We will continue to recruit from a Workplace Wellness standpoint in trying to gather more participants and businesses registering.

The cost for registration for The MoveMEnt is $12. This will get you an informational folder, tshirt, and access to all Movement activities and Interactive cooking classes! Come by the Thrive office (12 West Jackson in Iola) or call us at 620-365-8128 to get enrolled.

Lehigh Portland Trails (2014-2016)

The Lehigh Portland Trails are built on the site of a former cement plant and quarry, along the banks of Elm Creek in Iola, Kansas. The trails feature both rail-trail-style gravel-surfaced trails and natural-surface trails for mountain biking, trail running, and nature hikes.

These trails were built by volunteers with Thrive Allen County, via a June 2014 Healthy Living grant from the Kansas Health Foundation, on land owned by Iola Industries, Inc. through an easement granted to the Sunflower Rail-Trails Conservancy, Inc. The trail’s name pays homage to Allen County’s industrial past and specifically to the Lehigh Portland Cement Company, which purchased the Iola Portland Cement Company in 1917 and operated a major plant in Iola until 1970.

This trail system includes walking and biking trails similar to the Prairie Spirit Trail and the Southwind Rail Trail, but also includes mountain bike trails and related amenities that are rare in this part of Kansas. The new trail system is free and open to the general public year round.

Learn more at LehighTrails.com

Follow Lehigh Portland Trails on Facebook

Happy Trails Dog Park (2014)

The Happy Tails Dog Park is located at the southwestern corner of Rock and Chestnut Streets in Iola. It was built in cooperation with Thrive Allen County and the City of Iola, as a result of the Vision Iola initiative.

For more information on the Happy Tails Dog Park, please call the City of Iola Parks Department at 620-365-4930.

Follow Happy Tails Dog Park on Facebook

The Missouri Pacific Recreational Trail (2014-2015)

The Missouri Pacific Recreational Trail (also known as the “Mo-Pac Trail”) is a paved multi-use pathway built on the former Missouri Pacific Railway corridor in Iola. The trail is approximately 1/2 mile in length and connects the Prairie Spirit Trail with The Iola Middle School and Iola High School, as well as the downtown square (via the Washington Street sharrows).

The trail is paved with concrete, and is 10 feet in width for the majority of its length, with a three-block section at a 5-foot width alongside on-street sharrows for bicycle traffic.

The trail was funded through a federal Transportation Enhancements grant, administered by the Kansas Department of Transportation, along with local matching funds.

Southwind Rail Trail (2012-2013)

The Southwind Rail Trail is a scenic 6.5-mile trail that connects the two largest communities, Iola and Humboldt, in Allen County. You will see a beautiful historical bridge, wildlife, and more. It connects to the 51-mile Prairie Spirit Trail in Iola for an uninterrupted 58-mile route through southeast Kansas.

This trail is open every day from dawn to dusk. It is FREE to the public for bicycling, walking, and wheelchair access.

Follow the Southwind Rail Trail on Facebook

Elm Creek Community Garden (2013)

The Elm Creek Community Garden is located at 702  S. First St. in Iola. It is supported in part by the Health Care Foundation of Greater Kansas City, local donations and plot rentals. It serves all of Allen County.

ECCG has a part-time garden coordinator who is available to help answer questions and assist gardeners.  The garden offers raised handicapped plots and ground plots, as well as offer free plots, water, plants, and seeds to the poor and under served.. ECCG promotes healthy lifestyles, exercise, and good nutrition, and aims to fight obesity.

The Elm Creek Community Garden won the 2010 Thrive Allen County Award for Excellence in Health and Wellness.

For more information, call 620-365-5577 or visit localharvest.org.

Follow the Elm Creek Community Garden on Facebook

Portland Alley Marathon (2012-2013)

The Portland Alley Marathon is is an annual event that takes place along “Portland Alley”, the 26.2 mile corridor from Iola Kansas to Chanute Kansas where Portland cement has been produced since the early 20th century.

The event is organized by a coalition of residents from Chanute, Humboldt and Iola who share the goals of improving health conditions in Allen and Neosho counties while demonstrating the benefits of regional cooperation.

Participants can compete on full marathon and half marathon courses. Both individuals and teams are welcome.

All aid stations, spaced roughly every 3 miles, will offer water, Gatorade, and gel packs.

For more information contact Thrive Allen County at 620-365-8128, the Chanute Regional Development Authority at 620-431-5222, or portlandalleymarathon@gmail.com

Allen County Farmers’ Market (2011)

The Allen County Farmers’ Market is a weekly open-air fresh food market that features locally-grown produce, baked goods, plants, eggs, meat, and honey along with the use of Vision/debit cards, homegrown entertainment and chefs doing cooking demonstrations. The market is open from May through October.

Locations/Times:

• Tuesdays: Cofachique Park, Iola, KS 1–3 p.m.
• Thursdays: On the Square, Iola, KS 5:30–7 p.m.
• Saturdays: Moon’s Market, Humboldt, KS 8–11 a.m.

For more information contact Robin Schallie at 620-365-2172 or visit localharvest.org.

Visit the Allen County Farmers’ Market web site

Follow the Allen County Farmers’ Market on Facebook

Vision Iola (2010)

Thrive Allen County and the City of Iola joined forces to develop a planning process to help shape the future of their community. The Vision Iola Initiative was created to build upon the City’s Comprehensive Plan and develop actionable items that could realistically be implemented within a relatively short time frame.

The Vision Iola planning process involved the citizens of Iola and emphasized the application of good urban design principles in an effort to improve public health.

The planning process resulted in a planning document that will be utilized by the City of Iola to specifically guide the City’s physical improvements in three specific areas:

• A comprehensive signage package with a community identity component
• A downtown streetscape enhancement plan
• Park facilities evaluation and park and trails development plans

Vision Iola was a six-month process that will ultimately be a pilot program for other communities of Allen County to help shape their future with the same emphasis on urban design and public health. The Vision Iola team consisted of Thrive Allen County, City of Iola, Landworks Studio, a landscape architecture firm, and involved citizens.

It was divided into 3 components:

Vision Iola Meetings and Presentations began in early 2010 and ended in late summer of 2010. Each component followed a streamlined process of public input opportunities, concept development, and deliverables. A web site was created to distribute information and provide interactive feedback.

Mad Bomber Run For Your Life (2009-2016)

The Charley Melvin Mad Bomber Run For Your Life was a unique 5K run/3K walk that drew thousands of runners and walkers from throughout the Midwest to Iola, Kansas each July. Running from 2009 through 2016, it was the largest such event in Southeast Kansas.

The event commemorated the 1905 dynamite bombing of three saloons just after midnight by a local prohibitionist, Charley Melvin. This event brought national attention to the then-lawless boomtown of Iola, Kansas … and broke a whole lot of bottles! The Mad Bomber Run took a destructive historical event and turned it into something positive for the community, and we had a whole lot of fun doing it.

The Mad Bomber Run was an unforgettable annual event. In addition to the run/walk, it featured a carnival, old time games and the Mad Bomber “drag race” — Iola’s mostly-dignified community members sprinting in drag. Forgive the pun, but it was a blast, folks.

Learn more

Elsmore Community Playground (2009)

The City of Elsmore worked with Thrive Allen County to improve health and recreation options in their community, believing that the equipment could make a meaningful difference in the lives of children in their community and the surrounding area.

In 2009, the Elsmore Community Playground was built.