In 1984, the trust that managed the park and properties was dissolved and ownership was given to the Delaware County Industrial Development Authority.

Deshong Park is 22 acres (8.9 ha) in size[1] and located near Ninth Street and Edgemont Avenue in Chester, Pennsylvania.

[6] It has suffered from crime including the rape and stabbing of a woman in 2017[7] and the discovery of buried human remains in 2022.

[8] Alfred O. Deshong was a wealthy businessman who operated a successful quarry business and was a director of the Delaware County National Bank.

He died in 1913 with no heirs and donated his 22 acres (8.9 ha) property, mansion and art collection to the city of Chester.

[13] In 1977, a 15-year-old boy stole over $450,000 worth of paintings by simply taking them off the wall and sliding them out of the museum's windows.