IOTA – Named for a family that has always been and remains influential in the area, the Town of Iota officially opened its first community park in ceremonies Sunday afternoon.
Foret Park, located on First Street near the volunteer fire department, includes two sets of playground equipment, a basketball court, a quarter-mile walking track, three small pavilions and more.
“There are no great towns without a great park, and Iota is certainly a great town,” said Carrie Leckelt, who spearheaded the all-volunteer group to establish the green space.
“This is a historic day for our community,” she said. “We began this vision in 2019 when Cody (Leckelt, Iota mayor and Carrie Leckelt’s husband) first took office. It took three and a half years, a lot of planning, and many, many fun-raisers to make it happen.
“Thank you to everyone who invested in it.” Leckelt said she has been asked many times how they came up with the name for the park. “There was really only one choice,” she said. “The Foret family has been and is still very important to the community of Iota.” Members of the Foret family gathered at the entrance to the park for the ribbon-cutting ceremonies conducted by Mayor Cody Leckelt.
For the official program, Mayor Leckelt welcomed the Foret Family and the many Iota and area residents who turned out for the park opening.
Dak Broussard sang the Star Spangled Banner and Rev. Bary Dardar, pastor of River of Life Fellowship delivered the invocation.
Following ribbon cutting, guests were invited in for the park where children – and parents, alike – enjoyed the many amenities, along with refreshments.
