The original concept called for students to receive free tuition and board in exchange for working up to half day in the college's farm, electrical shop or printing plant.

According to the terms of the arrangement if the "Parkville Experiment" did not work out within five years, the college grounds were to revert to Park.

Mackay Hall is the main focal point of the campus and dominates the hillside, overlooking the town of Parkville.

Park's total enrollment has grown from its small base since 1996 when it first began offering online courses.

[10] The university continued to expand the Gilbert campus in 2019, leasing an additional 7,000 square feet (650 m2) and extending the initial three-year term with the city to five years.

[10] Initially playing as an independent during the 2019–20 academic year, the university announced membership in the NAIA and California Pacific Conference (Pac West) starting in 2020–21.

From 1980 to 1984, English was the head men's basketball coach at his alma mater, the University of Rhode Island, and he played one season in the NBA with the Portland Trail Blazers in 1970–1971.

[citation needed] Seven former Park Pirates competed for the Kansas City Comets of the Major Arena Soccer League as of 2020[update].