plans for a park in washington county began in the late 1990s. by 2001 a master plan had been completed and the acquisition of land for the park began. construction began in 2003 when roads were installed to the park area from highway 47. by 2005 construction of the facilities and campgrounds had begun on the $18 million facility. the park was scheduled to open for the memorial day weekend in may 2007, but the opening was delayed until july 8, 2007.