The creation of the park is indicative of the value the area has because of its unique indigenous and early European history, fauna, flora and geology.

[3] After initial exploration by Europeans primary industrial activities included timber getting, small farming, dairying and fishing.

[5] There are numerous instances of land sales recorded in the Sydney Gazette and New South Wales Advertiser (NSW : 1803 - 1842) in the Popran.

In the early days of European occupation contact with settlements on Mangrove Creek, the Hawkesbury and Sydney was almost exclusively by boat due to the difficult terrain.

His original land grant was 50 acres and was located around four miles from the mouth of the Popran where it flows into Mangrove Creek.

Joseph Kelly was educated at Fort Street High School and subsequently joined the NSW Surveyor- General's Department.

After an initial posting to Orange he was appointed assistant Government Surveyor with the North Coast Survey Department at Grafton, NSW.