Lake resort planned for site near Strawtown Koteewi Park

A 55-acre resort with cabins, campsites, an event center and a 20-acre lake is proposed for a site adjacent to Hamilton County's Strawtown Koteewi Park.

Strawtown Resort would be built between State Road 37 and Essig Avenue, south of Strawtown Avenue. It is being proposed by Bruce Oldham and Sean Cannon of Strawtown Property Management LLC. The developer didn't disclose the cost of the project.

Strawtown Property Management has requested that the land, which encompasses two parcels, be rezoned from the A-1 zoning designation that allows for conservation and preservation and the C-1 zoning designation that allows for commercial development with residential character to a planned unit development.

The resort would include as many as 50 rental units, with the majority being at least 300 square feet and including a restroom. Each cabin would have its own outdoor space featuring a fire ring and seating. The project would also include a general store and a 200- to 300-person event space that could be rented for weddings, corporate events and seminars.

The Strawtown Resort would be built in two phases over the next 10 years. 

The first phase would begin as soon as possible and be complete by the end of next year. It would include eight cabins of varying size and layout, the campground and camp store and a four-acre lake, which could be used for fishing, rowboats, paddle boats and paddle boards. Motorized boats would be prohibited. Construction would also begin on the remaining 16 acres of lake, which would eventually connect to the first-phase lake.

Phase 2, estimated to be complete by the end of 2028, would finish the lake and include construction of 8 to 25 additional cabins, depending on demand; construction of the event space; and an addition to the camp store.

In documents filed with the Hamilton County Commissioners, Strawtown Property Management said the Strawtown Resort plan “has been developed specifically to help encourage families to get outside and experience nature and their natural surroundings together.”

Hamilton County owns the 800-acre Strawtown Koteewi Park, which includes a bike trail, a White River canoe launch, fishing, an equestrian center and hiking and horse trails. Stretching along three miles of the White River, it offers eight miles of multi-use trails.

The park has grown its offerings over the past few years. 

Koteewi Archery Range, which includes 92 fixed and variable target shooting stations, a 30-yard bow hunting range, two 90-meter ranges and a 3-D course with 30 targets, opened in 2015. Edge Adventure Parks opened Koteewi Aerial Park in July 2016, allowing park visitors to weave through the treetops via ziplines. And Koteewi Trails Equestrian Adventures, which offers family trail rides, guided public rides, sunset rides, pony rides, corporate outings, educational programs and stall rentals for campers at the nearby White River Campground, opened in April 2017.