History of Otter Creek Park

1934 The National Parks Service selects 3,000 acres of beautiful land in Meade County, Ky., to serve as a recreational area for residents of Louisville and neighboring towns. (Today, the park’s acreage is 2,600, after land swaps with Ft. Knox.)
1937 Otter Creek Park opens to the public.
1938 The first camp at Otter Creek Park is built and leased by the YMCA to become Camp Piomingo.
1947 In recognition of the city's service during World War II, the Federal Government endows Otter Creek Park to the City of Louisville.
1965 A new girl scout camp area - Camp Twin Ridges - is constructed. The park's family campground increases in size. Picnic areas are tripled.
1967-1968 The Nature Center is dedicated.  The center features exhibits and educational programs on wildlife, soil, rock formations and other aspects of the area. This new facility allows environmental education to become part of the overall focus of the park. A bridge is built over Otter Creek to open up a new recreational area and a 50-unit camping area that can be used in the winter.
1975 President Ford transfers 197 acres of surplus land from Fort Knox military reservation to the City of Louisville to be added to Otter Creek Park.
1980-1983 A conference center overlooking the Ohio River is constructed. With first class facilities and a beautiful, scenic view, the park becomes a popular and "natural" choice for large events - especially weddings.
1984 The historic Van Buren Lodge is destroyed by fire.
1985 The Van Buren Lodge is restored and expanded to accommodate 30 people.
1986 Otter Creek Park builds a disc golf course.
1995 Otter Creek Park becomes a division of Metro Parks.
2001  A new master plan is adopted for Otter Creek Park.  The plan was developed by a task force chaired by former Louisville Mayor Frank Burke.
2003 A $316,000 road project, called for in the master plan, is completed.  The new road alignment improves wayfinding within the park.
Five new group cabins are added at Camp Tecumseh, completing a $120,000 project called for in the park's master plan.
2004 Several aging cabins in the park are damaged or destroyed by a major storm.
2006 3 new studio cabins replaced 3 family cabins that were destroyed by the July 13, 2004 wind storm, at a cost of $123 thousand.