The park hosts a large open grassy area, the A.C. Postel Memorial Rose Garden, a fountain, hiking trails, a variety of sycamore and native oak trees, a historic olive grove dedicated to World War I veterans, remains of tannery vats, a pottery, gristmill, and a historic reservoir and aqueduct system.

[2] The park is divided by Alameda Padré Serra, a major access roadway[3] that has an Average Annual Daily Traffic (AADT) of about 9,900 vehicles.

Following the 1925 Santa Barbara earthquake and post-restoration efforts made to the Santa Barbara Mission, the Franciscan Fathers of California offered to sell a 7.8 acre parcel of land extending from Laguna and East Los Olivos Streets north to Alameda Padré Serra.

After securing private contributions, on June 30, 1928, the City Council agreed to purchase the land for $37,000 (to be paid over several years).

[5] In 1948, the remainder of the land comprising the present day park (the 2-acre parcel between Alameda Padré Serra and Mission Ridge Road) was gifted to the city by the Franciscan Fathers.

[5] By the late 1970s, California Proposition 13 had substantially reduced funding for the Parks Department and thereby eliminated the full-time rose gardener's position.

Additionally, the collection hosts beds with ancient varieties, such as Gallicas, Albas, and Damasks in various states of health.

[6] The park's grassy area encompasses roughly half of the original southern 8-acre parcel that was sold to the City in 1928.

During 1840, a three-acre orchard consisting of pear, apple, apricot, fig and other fruit trees existed about 100-yards in front of the Mission (i.e. the present day location of the grassy area which abuts East Los Olivos Street).

[12] Abutting the upper reservoir to its north are the ruins of a filter house,[13] which purified water for domestic purposes.

[12] In 1806, a square stone reservoir was constructed as part of an irrigation system providing water for the Mission's orchards and gardens.

[12] Located north of Almeda Padre Serra within Mission Park, this reservoir was well-crafted enough to be utilized by the city for water storage until 1993.

[12] The Pottery is located at just north of the intersection of Alameda Padre Serra and East Los Olivos Street.