Moraine State Park naturalist Megan Stephenson gives a presentation on the history of Moraine State Park on Thursday. William Pitts/Butler Eagle

MUDDY CREEK TWP — Dozens of park visitors turned out Thursday evening as Moraine State Park celebrated the 53rd anniversary of its opening with a presentation documenting the history of the land it sits on.

“I’m a big fan of the park. I’m involved in the park with a whole bunch of different things with Moraine Preservation Fund and the trail race too,” said David Murray, a frequent park visitor. “It’s nice to hear the history of the park.”

Megan Stephenson, a Moraine State Park naturalist, hosted the presentation.

Moraine State Park was named for the glacial “moraine” formations that shaped its land. While the park is officially only 53 years old, it took thousands of years of natural phenomena to shape it into what it is today.