Today, the park is home to a variety of local wildlife, including Pacific black ducks and herons.

The lake grew in popularity as a tourist destination, with visitors from Melbourne travelling two hours by steam train to reach it.

In 1909 the Adult Deaf Society purchased the land surrounding the lake, where they established a hospice and a flower farm.

In 1964 the Society sold the lake and the land around it to the Melbourne Water board, and in 1965 the area was declared a sanctuary.

In the early days before the lake was formed, Kooyongkoot Creek wound its way down the valley from Mitcham to Blackburn on its way to the Yarra River.

The lake was dammed in 1889 initially to provide water for local fruit growers, but was later used and misused for various reasons and activities until the late 1970s.

In the 1920s, diving towers were erected and swimming lessons were held at the lake, the water quality was as yet unaffected by surrounding land clearing, agriculture and development.