The park was named after E.P. 'Tom' Sawyer, a long-time Jefferson County Judge/Executive.
The park contains a 10-acre woodland area designated as a State Nature Preserve.
It features a specialized radio-controlled model airplane flying field with a paved landing strip.
The grounds were formerly part of the Lakeland Asylum for the Insane, later known as Central State Hospital.
The park offers one of the few public outdoor Olympic-sized pools in the region.
The property includes a permanent outdoor archery range available for public use.
E.P. Tom Sawyer State Park is a 554-acre recreational facility located on the site of the former Central State Hospital grounds. The park features an Olympic-sized swimming pool that serves as the centerpiece of its summer offerings. It provides extensive athletic infrastructure, including tennis courts, pickleball courts, soccer fields, and a dedicated radio-controlled aircraft flying field. A paved 1.25-mile fitness trail loops through the park, supplemented by additional woodland trails for hiking and mountain biking. The grounds include multiple picnic shelters, a dedicated archery range, and sand volleyball courts. The park is managed by Kentucky State Parks and remains a primary destination for organized outdoor sports in eastern Louisville.
The raised viewing deck overlooking the radio-controlled airfield allows for panoramic shots of the park landscape.
Bring a change of clothes if you plan to use the pool, as changing facilities are available on-site.
Check the official Kentucky State Parks website before arrival to confirm pool availability, as it is strictly seasonal.
Utilize the shaded picnic shelters near the main playground for midday breaks.
Do not attempt to use the pool during the off-season; do not venture off-trail in the nature preserve areas to protect local flora.
The public pool is open exclusively during the summer months; the park grounds are open year-round.
Athletic footwear is required for court sports; pool users must wear appropriate swimwear; pets must remain leashed at all times.
