Believing that access to nature had a civilizing and restorative effect on the urban public, Olmsted designed Lake Park in the Romantic tradition, with a preference for natural (over formal) landscaping, winding paths, a variety of vistas, incorporation of wildlife, and a balance between active recreation and more passive enjoyment.

[6] Covering 138.1-acre (559,000 m2) on the shore of Lake Michigan,[2] the park is part of a mostly contiguous stretch of lakefront amenities that extend north from Milwaukee's downtown, including Bradford Beach, various parks, McKinley Marina, and the Milwaukee Art Museum.

In addition, Lake Park is home to the last remaining Indian mound in the city of Milwaukee.

[4] A portion of the Oak Leaf Trail Lake Line runs through the park.

[9] In July 2016, Lake Park became a popular location for Poké-Stops in the game Pokémon Go.