[1] Her parents, John Brown Park (1821-1891) and Christina Alexander (1821-1906), had an older sister Jesse before Mary and later had a third daughter Agnes.

[2] Park studied at her parents' schools in both Tasmania and Dunedin where she developed art skills at a young age.

[3][2] While in Scotland, she painted and also taught art in Helensburgh with Madge Ross, who she had met in Paris while training.

[2] Their students included the Glasgow Boys' Alexander Ignatius Roche and John Lavery.

[2] Park and Ross exhibited at their home, at the 7 East Princes Street gallery of Macneur and Bryden Stationers, at the Lady Artists' Club, and at the Royal Glasgow Institute of the Fine Arts.