Located off of Cliff Drive, it is the terminus of Arroyo Burro Creek, and stands at the foot of the Santa Barbara coastal bluffs of the Wilcox Property (i.e. Douglas Family Preserve), which is adjacent to the east.

A once popular restaurant known as The Brown Pelican formerly situated overlooking the beach closed in November 2007, after the Santa Barbara County Board of Supervisors declined to renew their lease of twenty-five years.

Hendry, who arrived in Santa Barbara circa 1872, initially worked as an agricultural laborer for Ellwood Cooper at his Goleta Valley ranch for a number of years before becoming a substantial landholder himself.

In 1947, with assistance of the State of California, Santa Barbara County purchased the land that comprises the current day park, including 5.5 acres (2 ha) and 500 ft (150 m) of beachfront along the mouth of Arroyo Burro Creek for $15,000.

Nevertheless, in February 2011, a local environmental advocacy organization filed a Clean Water Act lawsuit against the City of Santa Barbara to initiate a comprehensive refit of its sewer infrastructure.

[10][11] Further efforts to preserve Arroyo Burro Creek have been made by the City of Santa Barbara and The Trust for Public Land by the purchase of Veronica Springs, a 14.7 acre parcel of upstream open space and natural area about 0.5 mi (0.80 km) north of the park.

The $1,380,000 project comprised upgrades to the irrigation system; the installation of a water-collection cistern, drought tolerant landscaping, ADA-compliant pathways, security cameras, and approximately 17,000 square feet of streetscape improvements including enhanced seating near the bus stop and dog wash areas; the reconfiguration of the fencing; and the replacement of the former 330-square foot ranger office and maintenance building.