When construction was completed the county was in the middle of a mild drought. Fed by Deer Creek the lake filled slowly. The area did not open to fishermen until September 3, 1939; over 5,000 anglers celebrated the opening day of the new lake. At that time fishermen were restricted to only one pole each and could only fish between 6:00 a.m. and 6:00 p.m. These rules did not discourage a Topeka man who caught fourteen pounds of bass within forty-five minutes after the opening signal sounded on that day.

Over one million users annually enjoy the beauty and diversity of Lake Shawnee.

1935 – Construction begins on Lake Shawnee by the Works            Progress Administration 1936 – Shawnee County Parks Department formed by             Board of County Commissioners 1938 – Lake Shawnee construction completed 1939 – Lake Shawnee opened for fishing with 5,000               anglers 1940 – Reynolds Lodge with stone exterior walls, interior             log walls and hardwood floors constructed by the            Youth Work Administration as part of the            WPA. The building still serves as premiere rental            facility seating over 200 people. 1941 – The Shawnee Yacht Club was formed by John            Armstrong. 1954 – Shawnee Boat and Ski Club was formed. 1959 – Shawnee County Amateur Baseball Association            organized which continues to host leagues,            regional and national tournaments.
1961 – Theodore D. Ensley hired as Park Superintendent for the salary of $3,600 per year and resided in a house            on the west side of the lake. 1961 – Lake Shawnee Junior for youth fishing was built. 1965 – First department in Kansas to receive a Bureau of Outdoor Recreation (BOR) grant. 1966 – Lake Shawnee Campground constructed with improvements in 1973, 1974, 2000, and 2001. 1968 – First rowing competition held at Lake Shawnee. 1969 – Founded WU rowing crew. 1971 – Topeka Rowing Association founded. 1972 – Lake Shawnee Golf Course constructed with             funds from the Land & Water Conservation Fund.
1973 – Paid $192 for 2,150 trees from Kansas State University for Lake Shawnee. 1974 – Acquired Wakarusa Park from Kansas Department of Transportation which provides public access            to the Wakarusa River. 1975 – Shawnee County Parks Department changed to Shawnee County Parks & Recreation Department.             Ray Lahm was hired as the first Recreation Director and was active on the KRPA Board of Directors. 1975 – Lake Shawnee Bathhouse & Beach area constructed with funds from the            Bureau of Outdoor Recreation and Shawnee County. 1975 – Shawnee North Community Park acquired – 115 acres from the Kansas Dept of Social and Rehabilitation            Services.  The center had previously been the County Poor Farm since the early 1900’s. 1975 – Shawnee South Community Park acquired – 175 acres from federal government’s “Legacy of Parks” legislation             included a community center, game fields, and nine hole Forbes Golf Course. 1976 – H. Richard Bush was hired to work at Shawnee South Community Center. Bush held various positions            within the department until 1992 and was very active in KRPA. 1976 – Ball diamond complex constructed at Shawnee North Community Park.
1977 – Tom Opat hired as Golf Course Superintendent. 1977 – Department Administration Building constructed            overlooking Lake Shawnee. 1977 – Concession Building & Tennis Courts added at            Shawnee North Community Park 1978 – Steve Kandybowicz hired as Recreation Director;            became Park Director 1983 - 1986, and held            various offices in KRPA. 1979 – First time trout introduced to Lake Shawnee. 1980 – Kandybowicz received KRPA Outstanding Young            Professional Award. 1980 – Julie Trowbridge hired as first Horticulturist for the           department. 1980 – First Topeka Tinman Triathlon held at Lake            Shawnee.
1983 – Acquired Lindbloom Park in Southeast Shawnee             County. 1984 – Mid America Fairgrounds were part of the department until 1987. 1984 – Shawnee County awarded the Outstanding            Organization Award from the National Association of            County Park and Recreation Officials. 1985 – Ensley received KRPA Distinguished Fellow Award. 1985 – Anne G. Freeze hired as Recreation Director. 1985 – The 4,000 square foot Lake Shawnee Golf Course            Clubhouse built. 1985 – Numerous building projects completed at all three            parks & community centers. 1986 – Marty Burke hired as Park Director through 1989.
1988 – Freeze received KRPA Distinguished Professional Award 1989 – Mike Killion hired as Ranger Supervisor 1989 – Mark Hecker hired as Park Director until 1997. 1989 – Kansas Expocentre, a multi-building entertainment, convention, and livestock facility part of Shawnee County            Parks & Recreation through 1992. 1991 – Botanical Gardens, gazebo and waterfalls completed at Lake Shawnee. 1992 – Ensley retires from Shawnee County to accept the appointment by Governor Joan Finney as Secretary            of Kansas Department of Wildlife & Parks. 1992 – Botanical Gardens dedicated as Ensley Botanical Gardens recognizing Theodore Ensley’s 31 years as            Director of Shawnee County Parks & Recreation. 1993 – Anne G. Freeze appointed Director of Parks & Recreation by Board of County            Commissioners.
1993 & 1994 – American Rowing National Championships held at Lake Shawnee. 1994 – John Knight promoted to Recreation Director 1994 – Susan Ward, Administration Supervisor, received the KRPA Special Service Award.  Also given a Proclamation            from County Commissioners for the KRPA award. 1995 – Ensley’s residence totally renovated to a top-notch rental facility, The Garden House, with large tree            shaded decks overlooking Lake Shawnee. 1995 – Continuous concrete cart paths laid at Forbes Golf Course. 1995 – Shawnee South Community Center dedicated as Paris Community Center in Honor of three term            County Commissioner Velma K. Paris who had been a Supporter of Parks & Recreation programs during her            12-year tenure. 1996 – 109’ waterslide added to Shawnee North Community Park Pool. 1996 – Americans with Disabilities (ADA) improvements totaling $400,000 to park recreation facilities.
1996 – Lake Shawnee Arboretum constructed through private/public partnership. 1997 – Lyle Bausch & David Bartels promoted to Park Superintendents to oversee the total Park Division operations of            the department. 1997 – Phase I of the Lake Shawnee Golf Course Master Improvement Plan completed with $600,000 improvements to            tees, cart paths, drainage, and new #2 hole along the lake’s edge. 1997 – Work began on the Lake Shawnee Recreational Trail. 1997 – Freeze served as President of KRPA. 1997 – First annual Spirit of Kansas celebration at Lake Shawnee. 1998 – First Winter Wonderland held at Lake Shawnee. 1998 – Nana’s Park developed through a public/private partnership.
1999 – Freeze left Parks & Recreation to take the Deputy Director position             for the Shawnee County Health Agency. 1999 - North shelter & trail renovation from the Local Government Outdoor Recreation           Grant (LGORP) from Kansas Dept of Wildlife & Parks. 2000 – John Knight appointed Director of Parks & Recreation 2000 – Randy Luebbe hired as Recreation Director. 2000 – Local Government Outdoor Recreation Grant (LGORP) from Kansas Dept of Wildlife & Parks for playground            equipment at Lake Shawnee. 2000 – Land and Water Conservation Fund (LWCF) grant for Kiddie Pool at the North Community Park. 2001 – Keith Darby, Park Maintenance, received the KRPA Special Service Award. 2001 – Phase II of the Lake Shawnee Golf Course Master Improvement Plan completed.
2001 – Community Lake Assistance Agreement (CLAP)             grant for improvement of the Lake Shawnee             rearing ponds. 2002 – Master Plan developed for Lake Shawnee Trail 2002 – Extended Botanical Garden built with help from            Topeka Beautification and private donations. 2002 – Lake Shawnee & North Park Tennis Complex            improvements completed. 2002 – John Kennedy hired as Park Director. 2002 – Demolition of North Pool & Bathhouse. 2003 – New Heated Fishing Dock put in Lake Shawnee. 2003 – Grand opening of Campground             shower/laundry/restroom building.
2003 – Grand opening of extended garden and Pergola at Ensley Botanical Gardens. 2003 & 2004 – NE & Eastern portion of Lake Shawnee Trail completed in house. 2004 – Awarded $1,000,000 grant from KDOT for the west side of Lake Shawnee Trail. 2004 – Grand opening of Lake Shawnee Beach renovation with new bathhouse & slide. 2004 – Renovation of Velma K. Paris Community Center.