The park is surrounded by industrial plants, the Hastings Racecourse, as well as access to the Port of Vancouver.

Before the arrival of Europeans and the establishment of Vancouver, New Brighton Beach was known as "Khanahmoot" in the Squamish language.

New Brighton was previously known as Hastings Townsite back in 1865, and is considered to be the original area in which Vancouver began.

The first post office, customs, road, bridge, hotel, stable, telegraph, dock, ferry, playing field, museum, C.P.R.

Retains the name of a hotel built here in 1880 known as the new "Brighton House".Pools used the salt water from Burrard Inlet.

[2] The pool features 25-meter swim lanes as well as a sloped or beach style entry for young children, inexperienced swimmers, and visitors using wheelchairs.

[4] New Brighton Park is one of the many locations in Vancouver, Burnaby, and New Westminster, that sewage outflow occurs.

There have recently been some concerns raised about this current system in Vancouver due to the effects of climate change.