The interconnected set of parkways and parks was designed by Frederick Law Olmsted as part of his parks plan for the city of Buffalo, as inspired in large part by the parkland, boulevards, and squares of Paris, France.

An irregularly shaped rectangular parkland plot bisected by Cazenovia Creek.

The park features a branch of the Buffalo & Erie County Public Library, swimming pool, golf course, and baseball fields.

The main entrance is at the intersection of McKinley Parkway and South Park Avenue.

Contributing structures are the South Park Botanical Gardens Conservatory (1889, rebuilt 1930) and Golf Shelter (ca.