(Le Mars) — Members of the Le Mars Rotary, along with city officials and people from the community, gathered at O’Toole Park Wednesday morning for the dedication ceremonies acknowledging the civic organization’s 100 years of existence, and its relationship with the park. A new flag and flag pole honoring the club’s first woman president, Ina Gatts, were dedicated, along with trees and park benches that had been donated by the local Rotary organization. Bob Lee is the current president of the Rotary organization and says there is a long time connection between the local civic organization
and O’Toole Park.
Ina Gatts, along with her family attended the dedication program held at O’Toole Park. Gatts, says she is honored by today’s recognition, and she reflected back to the days when she was the first woman to join the Le Mars Rotary Club.
Gatts says the local Rotary club wanted to initially name the park as “Rotary Park”, but city officials said no to that idea. So, members of the Rotary at that time, then thought it would be appropriate to name the park in honor of a local doctor.
