Located north of the city center, it was developed in the 1920s through the philanthropy of William Fulton, a brass company owner, as a memorial to his son Lewis.

[2] The area that is now Fulton Park was originally part of Waterbury's early water supplies, established as a private venture in 1859 and purchased by the city in 1879.

Although the city was favorably inclined to the idea, much of the early development work was funded by Fulton, who retained the Olmsted Brothers firm to design the grounds.

Financial constraints played a role in the park's development, which took place in stages between 1920 and 1925, as funds became available.

Whiting, is fairly typical of Olmsted designs, with a variety of structures and advantageous use of the property's terrain and natural features.