At the time of European settlement, the Swan and Canning basins supported a population of Aboriginal people, the Whadjuk.

[3] The regional park encompasses an area which was once a significant river system and transport route during the colonisation of Perth.

Over the years, land use in the area has included farms, orchids, brickworks, market gardens, a timber mill, recreation and a Sikh cremation site.

Every Saturday at 8 am, a free 5-kilometre (3.1 mi) timed run takes place at Canning River Regional Park.

[6] Castledare has extensive facilities, including over a 5-kilometre (3.1 mi) track, railway station, signal box, turn table, storage sheds and workshops.

In order to maintain and restore the environmental values of the park, activities including weeding and re-vegetation (and hand watering during summer) are not only carried out by paid labour, but by volunteer groups.

The volunteer group's aims are to promote the Canning River Regional Park as a place of conservation and passive recreation, and to carry out activities which enhance the natural values of the area.

[9][10] Many projects are ongoing to transform the degraded sections of the park by the reintroduction of native species and providing public access in a safe and sustainable manner.