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Buckeye State residents are proud of our rich history and natural beauty. Many of our state parks provide visitors with both of those things. Great Council State Park, which opened last month, appears to be no exception.
In fact, its location in what was the Shawnee town of Old Chillicothe in the 1770s is an important reminder that the history of humans on this land goes back much further than 1788.
In fact, the Ohio Department of Natural Resources worked with three federally recognized Shawnee tribes to develop the new park.
"Fran and I are excited to open a brand-new state park in Ohio that honors the state's natural and cultural heritage," Gov. Mike DeWine said. "Great Council State Park will feature an immersive interpretive center for visitors to learn about Ohio's Shawnee and frontier history."
What a wonderful opportunity, not just for out-of-state visitors, but for Ohioans to take an honest look at the history of this land. Great Council is on Ohio 68, between Xenia and Yellow Springs, in Oldtown. It opened just in time for parents to start taking their kids on a few summer adventures.
ODNR, Ohio History Connection, the Greene County Historical Society and The Shawnee Tribe, Eastern Shawnee Tribe of Oklahoma, and the Absentee Shawnee Tribe of Indians of Oklahoma are to be commended for so beautifully pulling together this park.