The park was opened in 1902 as the Powell Street Grounds by Vancouver's second mayor,[1] David Oppenheimer, whom it was later renamed in honour of.

The park's facilities include a softball field, a basketball hoop, a children's playground, and a community centre with bathrooms, meeting space, and public computer access.

Historically, the park is most notable as being the site of one of the large demonstrations of striking workers during the events of Bloody Sunday in 1938.

Since 2004, initiatives by the Vancouver Police and the Strathcona Business Improvement Association have attempted to return the park to its original image of safe recreation, with some success.

Supreme Court decision in 2009, which stated that homeless persons are allowed to camp in a public park if no alternative shelters are available.