The park, along with the surrounding neighborhood of the same name, are both on land that was once Jerome Park Racetrack, which was founded by Leonard W. Jerome, grandfather of Winston Churchill.

Neighboring the park are two "Education Mile"[1] institutions: The Bronx High School of Science, and DeWitt Clinton High School.

[3] In June 2022, the Amateur Astronomers Association of New York (City) proposed relocating a public observatory to the park at the suggestion of The Bronx High School of Science.

The proposed observatory was previously in use at Nassau Community College for more than 40 years.

[4] The 12-foot tall, 6-foot diameter observatory has enough space for 3 people.