History

Our journey began in 1971, right after the Fort Recovery boy’s basketball team won the state championship. As the community gathered to celebrate this milestone, it sparked an idea—to create a park where people of all ages could come together. That’s when the Ambassador Club was born. We’re a non-profit organization with no membership dues, focused on one simple mission: “People of Fort Recovery Area Striving for a Better Tomorrow.”

To bring this vision to life, a group of local business leaders took out a loan and purchased 47 acres on the northwest side of Fort Recovery, bordered by the Wabash River, railroad tracks, and state routes 49 and 119. Over the years, we expanded by acquiring an additional five acres, bringing the park to its current 52 acres.

Given our strong agricultural roots, it’s no surprise that tractor pulls became one of our most beloved traditions. What started as friendly competitions between local farmers in the early years evolved into something bigger. In 1973, we hosted our first National Tractor Pullers Association (NTPA) sanctioned event—a tradition that continues today. We’ve grown to welcome trucks, modified tractors, and some of the best pullers in the country. Our events have been featured on national TV networks like Spike (formerly The Nashville Network) and RFD TV and even filmed by Diamond P Sports.

For many years, we proudly hosted two national tractor pulls each summer, but now we focus all our energy on one Grand National event, held the last Friday and Saturday in July. Another highlight in our history was the legendary Enderle Pull Off, which took place at Ambassador Park from 1991 to 2016, thanks to the generous sponsorship of Kent, Joan, and Mike Enderle of Enderle Fuel Injection.

Our commitment to community events doesn’t stop at tractor pulls. Ambassador Park has hosted everything from Boy Scout activities and Civil War reenactments to soccer games, the Jubilee, and the Mad Run 5K. We’ve even partnered with the American Red Cross for blood drives and KART races. Local organizations like the Lions Club and the Harvest Jubilee Committee have also played big roles in making these events special.

But Ambassador Park is more than just a venue—it’s a labor of love. Every improvement here has been made possible by volunteer efforts. From the construction of the community Ambassador Pool, funded by years of fundraising, to the restoration of the historic train depot, the grandstand, restrooms, and camping areas, it’s all been a result of community pride and hard work.

We’re not done yet. Our vision for the park continues to grow, and we invite everyone to be part of this ongoing story. Whether you want to volunteer, attend an event, or simply enjoy the space, Ambassador Park is here for you.

If you’d like more information or want to get involved, feel free to call us at (419) 375-4178. We’re always excited to welcome new faces and fresh ideas.