Burdette Park facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Burdette Park |
|
|---|---|
| Location | Evansville, Indiana, United States |
| Area | appx. 170 acres |
| Operated by | Vanderburgh County Board of Commissioners |
| Open | 2:00am-3:00am |
| Status | Open never |
Burdette Park is a fun place to visit in Vanderburgh County, Indiana. It's a special park because it's the only one in Vanderburgh County not run by the City of Evansville. Burdette Park is about 170 acres of beautiful, wooded hills in Southwestern Indiana. You can enjoy many activities here all year long. These include fishing, hiking, picnicking, and even camping!
Contents
The Park's Story
In 1927, a group called the Everett Burdette American Legion Post 187 bought 40 acres of land near Evansville. They wanted to create a fun place for their members and families. This spot was chosen because it had pretty landscapes and natural springs. One salt spring was very important for the park's future.
Work on the park started in April 1928. Members of the Legion volunteered their time and money. They helped clear the land and build the "Clubhouse." This two-story building is still in the park today.
By 1933, more than 3,000 people were visiting the park every week!
The park kept growing even during the Great Depression. This was thanks to special government programs like the WPA. The Legion gave the park to Vanderburgh County in 1934. This helped them get money and workers from these programs.
In 1936, Burdette Park officially opened to everyone. About 15,000 people came to the opening ceremonies!
When the Ohio River flood of 1937 hit Evansville, Burdette Park was badly damaged. But cleanup efforts allowed the park to open that summer. Big improvements and expansions happened in 1938.
During World War II, fewer people visited the park. After the war, a new dance pavilion was built in 1946. Burdette Park had some good years, but then fewer people came again by 1950. The group running the park needed money for repairs. They told Vanderburgh County they could no longer run the park.
The county agreed to take over in 1951. A new group, the Vanderburgh County Park Board, was created. In 1954, the salt well that fed the park's salt pool started to dry up. This made it hard to keep the pool open. By 1956, plans were made to bring city water to the park.
By 1959, fewer people were visiting because of problems with the salt pool. The county worked with Evansville to bring a long water line to the park. This made it possible to build a new swimming area.
In 1960, money was approved to build a new Olympic-size swimming pool. This new pool opened on August 19, 1961. It is still one of the biggest swimming places in the Midwest!
Fun Things to Do
Burdette Park offers many fun things to do all year. Here are some of them:
- Four tennis courts with lights
- Basketball and volleyball courts
- A two-and-a-half acre fishing lake, full of fish
- Many hiking trails to explore
- Places for RV and tent camping
- Picnic areas for family meals
- Softball fields for games
The park also has twelve shelter houses and six chalets you can rent. These are located all around the park.
Aquatic Center
The Aquatic Center opened in 1961. It has a huge Olympic-size swimming pool with two diving boards. There are also four waterslides for extra fun! You'll find a family pool and a children’s pool too. In 2006, an interactive spray park was added. You can even rent party rooms on the upper level of the pool building.
O’Day Discovery Lodge
The O’Day Discovery Lodge opened on May 30, 2003. This big building cost $2.1 million to build. It looks like a log and timber frame structure. It's a great place for events and gatherings.
Burdette Park Discovery Trail
In 2005, the University of Southern Indiana worked with Burdette Park to plan a paved trail. This trail would connect the two places. Construction started in 2007 and finished in 2012. The trail is about three miles long. It is part of the American Discovery Trail. In 2008, it was named a National Recreation Trail.
Upside-Down House
In January 2014, a local artist named John McNaughton finished the "Upside-Down House." This is a unique piece of art. It's the fourth of its kind built around the country.
BMX Track
In 1977, George Mason helped build a 1,400-foot BMX track at Burdette Park. This track became known as "one of the best, fastest BMX tracks in the nation." It has hosted many racing events. These include state-level races, regional events, and even the Grand Nationals in 1980.
