It was originally dedicated in 1909 when the park included the land now used by City College of San Francisco Ocean Campus west of I-280 Freeway.

Boxer Stadium (soccer), Sweeney Field (baseball), Balboa Skate Park, an off-leash dog area, a picnic area, tennis courts, and a basketball court.

The City stated plans to develop the park to serve the residents of the Outer Mission district.

At that time the dedicated park included the entire 100-acre House of Refuge lot, which included the current City College of San Francisco Ocean Campus, on the west side of the Southern Pacific Railroad tracks (now I-280 Freeway).

[7] In 1936 the portion of the park on the west of the railroad tracks was given to City College, and the remaining portion, about 26 acres east of the freeway line, became Balboa Park as it is known today.