In 1877 the City Council of Cape Town purchased land from the Van Breda family who owned the farm Oranjezigt.

David Christiaan de Waal, who was the city councillor at the time and also a member of the Legislative Council of the Cape Colony, decided to develop the park.

Molteno Road was extended down to meet Camp Street at about this time and it was decided to fence off the park on that side by planting a hedge of Kei apple.

The Victorian fountain in De Waal Park is a natural artesian well and feeds the Lower Reservoir No.

On 22 March 1968 the park was proclaimed a National Monument to be maintained in perpetuity as public gardens and it is now listed as a Provincial Heritage Site.