The park comprises 605 acres (245 ha), and is located near the geographical center of the city of Los Angeles.

The park features a 3-acre (1.2 ha) lake, a duck pond and over five miles (8 km) of hiking trails.

The park traces its beginnings to 1914 when William Mulholland and the Los Angeles Department of Water and Power built a reservoir in upper Franklin Canyon.

During the 1970s the canyon was spared from development through the efforts of conservationist Sooky Goldman and Congressman Howard Berman, which resulted in the creation of the park.

[5] It is represented by the North Beverly Drive/Franklin Canyon Homeowners Association, a member of the Bel Air–Beverly Crest Neighborhood Council.

[9] The park is home to a variety of indigenous wildlife such as frogs, rabbits, squirrels, rats, mice, snakes, cougars, gray foxes, coyotes, and bobcats.

[10] In July, 2007, the Mountains Recreation and Conservation Authority installed three stop sign cameras in the park.

[17][18] The chief staff legal counsel of MRCA said in 2015 that the camera and ticketing program generates $1.5 million in revenue annually and costs the agency about $780,000.