The steep slopes that make up over 30% of the heavily wooded park rendered the land unbuildable, saving this property from the development of the adjacent neighborhood that began in the first decade of the 20th century and continued for more than half a century.

Unlike many Seattle parks, much of Fauntleroy Park remains essentially native habitat, a forest remnant undergoing natural succession.

[1] Although within city limits, the park is a natural green space and wildlife habitat including the headwaters of a historically fish-bearing stream, Fauntleroy Creek, rather than an urban park.

[3] Human activities there are generally limited to low-impact recreation such as walking, birdwatching and other observing of nature; it is not a site for more aggressive trail use such as mountain biking, and it lacks facilities for organized sports.

[2]: 3–1, 2–4  Two other organizations focus on the watershed that has its headwaters in the park: Friends of Fauntleroy Creek, established 1989, and the Fauntleroy Creek Watershed Council, established 2001.