Development of the park began in 1892 with the construction of the Ballast Point Pavilion by Chester and Emelia Chapin, who came to Tampa from New York.

[1] The park was a destination stop on the Consumers Electric Light and Street Railway Company, a predecessor of the later Tampa Electric Company (TECO) streetcar system.

Mrs. Chester W. Chapin controlling owner of the company which operated the city's first electric trolley cars, purchased these acres and in 1894 developed this site into a tropical park as a terminal for her line.

She named it for the French writer Jules Verne (1814-1905) who in his famous novel "From the Earth to the Moon" first published in 1865 chose Tampa town as his launching site for the imaginary shot of his rocket to that planet near one hundred years ago.”[3]The sections of the park that are open from sunrise to sunset include the playground, water play area and shelters for picnics and parties.

There is also a small, informal concession at the pier, Taste of Boston, which serves seafood, ice cream and American food.