The name arises from the proximity of the area to City Park, Nairobi.

Parklands is located approximately 5 kilometres (3.1 mi), by road, north-northwest of the central business district of Nairobi.

[2] During Kenya's colonial days, the British demarcated the area as a residential neighbourhood for civil servants.

The relative availability and comparatively reasonably priced land in the area attracts business and residential real estate development, away from the relative lack and exorbitant pricing of real estate in Nairobi's central business district, to the south of Parklands.

[5] Several Primary and Secondary Schools are in Parklands both government and private.