The Oregon-Washington Railroad and Navigation Company's 100-foot-high steel trestle passed over the northern section of the park and the Spokane River.

[7] During World War II the camp was converted into temporary military housing for families and veterans from nearby Geiger Field and Fairchild Air Force Base.

It was during this time that the city began some efforts to improve the park, including the construction of the disc golf course and a bike trail.

A 2005 archaeological study by researchers from Eastern Washington University uncovered hearths, tools and bones dating back over 8,000 years.

The People's Park area was specifically designated as a camp for transient youth, meant to accommodate hippies and the homeless.

The camp was disbanded after the end of the Expo, but the People's Park area maintained its reputation for alternative lifestyles in the decades to follow.

[4] Since the start of the 21st century, High Bridge Park including the areas beyond Latah Creek and the Spokane River, have been generating renewed investment.

In 2004, the Sandifur Memorial Bridge was completed connecting People's Park to the north bank of the river and the West Central neighborhood.

[16] The city gave approval in 2023 for the American Indian Community Center to construct a facility in the park on two undeveloped acres at the intersection of Riverside Avenue and A Street.

[18] High Bridge Park is located along the lower reaches of Latah Creek where it joins the Spokane River, stretching from the north bank of the river extending from Broadway Avenue in the north, south to 11th Avenue at the bridge over Latah Creek approximately.

Both Latah Creek, coming from the south, and the Spokane River from the west, cut deep, thin gorges through the surrounding Columbia Plateau.

[25][26] Due to riparian habitat destruction caused by agricultural use in the Latah Creek watershed, the stream can carry high loads of sediment downstream.

During winter snow melt and after heavy rains, the creek regularly takes on a significant brown color due to high turbidity which contrasts dramatically with the waters of the Spokane River where the two converge.

These sediments are then deposited on the bed of the creek and river causing damage to the aquatic habitat, especially for the redband trout.