The park, located between Broad and Rich Streets as part of the Scioto Mile park grouping, is named after Genoa, the birthplace of Christopher Columbus and one of Columbus' sister cities.

The river was stagnant and muddy due to the Main Street Dam, a low head dam built in 1918 to control flooding, but which doubled the width of the river to 600 feet (180 m).

The dam removal in 2013, along with sediment removal, narrowed the river to 300 feet (91 m), giving the city access to 33 acres (13 ha) of previously submerged shoreline.

The Oval, an open green space, was underwater prior to the Main Street Dam removal in 2013.

Public artwork and monuments include Celebration of Life, the Columbus Police Memorial, several works as part of Scioto Lounge, and the statue of Lucas Sullivant.