In 1953, the Vandalia Community Fair Association purchased the land to develop or use the land for a fairground. In 1959, the association disbanded, and the tract of land was donated to a newly formed group, Tri-County Recreation Association for development of a swimming pool. Funds for the new construction were obtained from private donors and the pool was ready for use in late 1960. In the early 1970s, the Rotary Club constructed the large picnic shelter, and the city provided a vehicle parking area. In 1975, the city placed corrugated pipe in natural waterway bisecting the park and backfilled to grade level. By 1978, the city had provided restrooms, a second shelter, playground equipment and two lighted tennis courts. In the early 1980s, the association deeded Tri-County Park minus the pool, to the City of Vandalia. Because of financial difficulties, in 1987 the pool was also deeded to the city.

In years following, big improvements have been made to the park. In 2006, the Vandalia Family Aquatic Center was built with a zero-entrance pool with a low and high dive and two slides. Following the new pool, in 2011 a walking trail with four different paths consisting of .7-mile, .32-mile, .38-mile and .07-mile. While walking on the trail you can also read a book along the way. The Vandalia Branch Library installed a "Book Walk" for the children to enjoy. Also,

while walking you can exercise on the stationary exercise equipment donated by the Rotary Club. While walking you can watch residents play Frisbee Golf. The frisbee golf course was installed in 2020. The most recent update has been the resurfacing of one tennis court and a pickleball court. In 2024, a ribbon cutting will be held after the installation of the ALL-INCLUSIVE Park is finished. This was made possible by the Audrain Developmental Disability Services.