It's a little-known fact but Sappa Park was the first national park in Kansas. In 1935 the National Park Service (NPS) approved construction of the park and lake just east of town on Sappa Creek. The Civilian Conservation Corps built the park and the WPA constructed the lake, both under NPS supervision. Dedicated in 1939, Sappa Park was the first National Park Property in Kansas and was operated by the NPS until presented to the State of Kansas in 1939.