Burdette Park is a public recreational park located at 5301 Nurrenbern Road on the west side of Evansville in Vanderburgh County, Indiana. Established in 1936, the park encompasses roughly 180 acres of wooded hills and recreational facilities and is one of the largest public recreation complexes in the Evansville area.

Unlike most public parks in the area, Burdette Park is operated by Vanderburgh County rather than the City of Evansville.

History

The origins of Burdette Park date to 1927, when the Everett Burdette American Legion Post 187 purchased approximately 40 acres west of Evansville. The American Legion envisioned the property as a recreational retreat where members and their families could escape the industrial city and spend time outdoors.

Development began in 1928. Volunteers cleared portions of the property and constructed a two-story clubhouse, which became one of the park’s earliest major structures.

The park was named in honor of Everett Burdette, a Vanderburgh County serviceman who was killed during World War I.

By the early 1930s, the recreation area had become increasingly popular. More than 3,000 people were reportedly visiting the property each week by 1933.

The Great Depression and WPA

The Great Depression played an important role in transforming the relatively small American Legion recreation area into Burdette Park.

In 1934, the American Legion transferred the property to Vanderburgh County, allowing the park to qualify for federal public works programs. Workers employed through Depression-era programs including the Civil Works Administration, Federal Emergency Relief Administration, and Works Progress Administration helped dramatically expand the property.

At one point, approximately 250 laborers per week were working on the Burdette project.

Workers constructed trails, bridges, cabins and recreational facilities throughout the wooded property. Among the park’s most distinctive early attractions were artificial swimming areas supplied by naturally occurring salt water.

Burdette Park formally opened to the general public in 1936, with an estimated 15,000 people attending the opening ceremonies.

The Saltwater Pool

One of the most unusual features of early Burdette Park was its saltwater swimming area.

Natural salt springs had been one of the reasons the American Legion originally found the property attractive. The springs were incorporated into recreational swimming facilities that became a popular destination for Evansville-area families.

Maintaining the saltwater pool eventually became increasingly difficult. During the 1950s, the well supplying the pool began to dry up, while health and maintenance requirements became more expensive.

Vanderburgh County and the City of Evansville eventually cooperated to extend an approximately 11,000-foot municipal water line to the park.

A $300,000 bond issue approved in 1960 helped finance construction of a modern freshwater swimming complex.

The new pool opened on August 19, 1961.

Burdette Park Aquatic Center

The swimming complex eventually developed into the modern Burdette Park Aquatic Center, one of the park’s best-known attractions.

The Aquatic Center includes an Olympic-size pool, family and children’s swimming areas, diving boards, waterslides and an interactive spray park.

For generations of Evansville-area residents, summer trips to the Burdette pool have made the park one of the region’s most recognizable warm-weather destinations.

Recreation

Burdette Park has expanded far beyond its original swimming facilities.

Recreational amenities have included:

• Swimming and waterslides
• BMX racing
• Basketball courts
• Tennis courts
• Pickleball courts
• Playgrounds
• Walking and biking trails
• Camping
• Picnic and shelter areas
• Overnight chalets
• Event and meeting facilities

The park also contains the distinctive Upside Down House, officially known as the Fantasy House. The whimsical structure was designed by University of Southern Indiana professor John McNaughton and is located in the park’s Magical Garden area.

USI-Burdette Trail

Burdette Park is connected with the nearby University of Southern Indiana through the USI-Burdette Trail.

The roughly three-mile paved trail provides a route for walkers, runners and bicyclists between the university area and Burdette Park.

The trail has been designated a National Recreation Trail and also serves as a destination point along the American Discovery Trail.

The connection strengthened the relationship between two of the most prominent public properties on Evansville’s west side and made it possible to travel between USI and Burdette without relying exclusively on surrounding roads.

Camping and Overnight Stays

Burdette also functions as a regional camping and overnight recreation destination.

The park operates an RV and tent campground with RV sites, tent camping, showers, restrooms and laundry facilities. RV camping is available throughout the year.

Burdette also maintains overnight rental properties, including chalets and lodge facilities.

Discovery Lodge

The O’Day Discovery Lodge is one of the largest facilities within Burdette Park. The lodge is used for weddings, conventions, reunions, corporate events and other large gatherings.

Along with smaller shelters and rental buildings scattered throughout the park, the Discovery Lodge helped expand Burdette’s role from primarily a recreation destination into a major event venue for southwestern Indiana.

Burdette Park Today

Today, Burdette Park remains one of Vanderburgh County’s most significant public recreational properties.

The park is open year-round, although individual attractions such as the Aquatic Center operate seasonally. Its combination of wooded terrain, swimming facilities, trails, camping, sports facilities and event spaces makes Burdette unusual among parks in the Evansville area.

Nearly a century after the American Legion first purchased the original 40 acres, Burdette continues to serve essentially the same purpose envisioned by its founders: providing Evansville-area residents with a place to escape the city and enjoy recreation outdoors.

Quick Facts

Established: 1936
Location: 5301 Nurrenbern Road, Evansville, Indiana
Area: Approximately 180 acres
Operator: Vanderburgh County
Original developer: Everett Burdette American Legion Post 187
Notable features: Burdette Park Aquatic Center, USI-Burdette Trail, BMX track, campgrounds, Upside Down House, Discovery Lodge
Historic development: CWA, FERA and Works Progress Administration projects during the Great Depression